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At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Climatic condition and airborne microorganisms in wild cat housing].

The aim of the present study was to obtain information to improve the environmental conditions in enclosures for cats of prey. There was a large variation in indoor temperature, relative humidity, concentration of airborne ammonia and microorganisms during the year. The ascertained concentrations of airborne microorganisms distinguished between the different housing systems and ranged between 7177 and 15,835 KBE/m3. The concentration correlated negatively with the temperature outside of the buildings, while the amount of each compound, especially the gram positive cocci and rods, was influenced by the microclimate of the stables. The gram negative germs covered only 4.5 to 7.5%. Therefore the gram positive microorganisms were predominant. Part of the primary pathogen germs was low and amounted below 1%. There was now risks for visitors to get an infectious disease caused by the zoo animals.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1997

Rheumatic complaints and musculoskeletal disorders in workers of a meat processing industry.

The effects of unsatisfactory microclimatic conditions and forced body position on the occurrence of fatigue and pain at work and disorders of the musculoskeletal system were evaluated in 90 female workers employed in the meat processing industry. The control group consisted of 95 workers whose work did not involve repetitive operation patterns and took place in a satisfactory microclimate. The mean age of both groups was 35 years. The data on symptoms were collected through a questionnaire. Further medical and functional examination of the locomotor system was carried out in both groups. Compared to the control, a significantly higher percentage of the exposed workers complained of fatigue and pain during work and manifested marked disorders. Most of degenerative rheumatic diseases of the spine were diagnosed in both groups. Other disorders found in the exposed workers in higher prevalence than in the control were: extraarticular rheumatic diseases as fibromyalgia, humeroscapular periarthritis, and epicondylitis. This paper proposes primary and secondary prevention of rheumatic diseases for workers in the meat processing industry.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Epidemiology of malignant neoplasms of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity in the Bydgoszcz region].

The authors performed epidemiological analysis of malignant neoplasms of the nose, paranasal sinuses, throat, tongue, larynx and salivary glands in Bydgoszcz area. All the patients were treated in the Otolaryngological Clinic of Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz. Patient's sex, age, profession, living and environmental conditions as well as histopathological diagnosis were taken into analysis. The data were referred to various regions of Bydgoszcz province, which were elucidated on the basis of microclimate conditions, industry, soil conditions, density of the forest area, and cultivated agriculture plants. Correlations between occurrence of oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract malignant neoplasms and living conditions as well as kind of profession in different parts of Bydgoszcz province were estimated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The capturing of pollens in the atmosphere of La Laguna City, Tenerife, Canary Islands 1990-1995.

This paper forms part of a Doctorate Thesis, carried out in the Allergy and Immunology Department of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Hospital, Tenerife, entitled "Epidemiology of Pollens on the Island of Tenerife. Allergy to Pollen". This paper deals with the capturing of pollen in the atmosphere of the city of La Laguna, Tenerife, during the period 1990-1995, and demonstrates that the Occidental Islands of the Canarian Archipelago are similar to a miniature continent with a special microclimate and a large amount of vegetation, where all classes of pollen can be found given the large variety of plants and trees including native species. High concentrations of more than 50 grains of pollen per m3 can be found in the air of the Occidental Islands, above all wild grasses, cultivated grasses, weeds, Artemisa vulgaris, Parietaria officinalis and Plantago lanceolata, and in a lowe proportion, Cupressaceae, Pinaceas, Mercurialis and Rumex. We have pollen concentrations very similar to other parts of the continent.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1997

[The effect of carbon disulphide on menopause, concentration of monoamines, gonadotropins, estrogens and androgens in women].

The clinical examinations covered 1710 women. The investigations were performed on 199 women with symptoms of menopause, who were selected and divided into two groups. The first control group (I) included 80 women employed in the Industrial Clothing Factory "Dana" in Szczecin, without contact with carbon disulphide. The second study group (II) comprised 119 women employed in the Synthetic Fibres Factory "Chemitex-Wiskord" and exposed chronically to carbon disulphide in concentration of 9.36-23.4 mg/m3. The microclimate conditions of the production halls in both groups were similar (Tab. 1). Menopause was present in 16.59% of women in the population chronically exposed to carbon disulphide, as compared with 8.05% in the normal population. Mean age at menopause in women of the first group was 48.1 years and 43.9 years in the second group. In the studied group of menopausal women retrospective estimation of menopausal and gestational cycles shows statistically significant increase in abortion and disorders of menstrual cycles (p < 0.001) (Tab. 2). The women chronically exposed to CS2 had significantly more frequently headaches, weight gain and loss of libido (p < 0.001). In the normal group fatigue, palpitations and hot flushes were found significantly more often (p < 0.001) (Tab. 4). The serum concentrations of estrone (p < 0.01), estradiol, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone were significantly decreased in women chronically exposed to CS2 (p < 0.001). No significant differences in the level of FSH or LH were noted between both groups (Tab. 3). The daily excretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine concentrations of dopamine in plasma of women chronically exposed to CS2, was significantly lower (p < 0.001), but the serum concentrations of serotonin (Tab. 5), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) and prolactin in plasma were significantly higher (p < 0.001). No difference concerning the level in serum of dehydroepiandrosterone and beta-endorfine was found (Tab. 6). Significant negative linear correlations between serotonin and FSH (r = -0.45; p < 0.001), serotonin and daily excretion of adrenaline (r = -0.43; p < 0.01) or noradrenaline (r = -0.58; p < 0.001) were disclosed in the exposed group. In this group a positive correlation was noted between the concentration of serotonin and prolactin (r = 0.45; p < 0.001).

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Social-hygienic evaluation of the prevalence of sleep disorders].

According to the data of interviews of 4000 subjects, the incidence of sleep disorders is about 30% in different regions of Russia; for the age group of 20 to 24 years it is 5%, for subjects aged over 60-40%. Fourteen percent of men and twenty-four percent of women of capable age (30-59 years) complain of insufficient sleep. The quality of sleep depends on age, sex, constitutional features (excessive or insufficient body weight), and social characteristics (frequent change of working places, change of place of residence (migrations), family status, and microclimate in a family. Health status is the main factor underlying the formation of various sleep disorders. Subjects suffering from sleep disorders earlier develop age-specific diseases, this indicating that biological age-specific processes are accelerated in this patient population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of gidazepam on the cardiovascular system function in patients with neurotic reactions and in healthy subjects under aggravated conditions].

Administration of 0.05 g gidazepam once or twice daily for 7 days increased the stroke volume (SV) and circulation volume (CV) and reduced total peripheral resistance in neurotic patients. In healthy individuals 0.05 g gidazepam administered 60 min before an important examination stabilized CV. In subjects kept for 60 min in a microclimate with increasing temperature (55 +/- 2 degrees C, relative humidity 75-80%, rate of movement 1.5 m/min, rectal temperature at the end of exposure 39 degrees C) 0.05 g gidazepam administered 60 min before overheating optimally reorganized the reaction of the cardiovascular system, stabilized the SV at the initial level, which together with the growing heart rate increased the CV and provided sufficient perfusion of the vital organs. In healthy subjects working as operators for 4 h under conditions of hypercapnia (1.5% CO2), a single administration of 0.05 g gidazepam one hour before the beginning of work reduced the pulse pressure and increased the SV. The results obtained are evidence of the safety of using gidazepam as a corrector of emotion-induced disorders in operator performance under extreme conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[The investigation of adaptation processes in sheet metal workers].

The study covered 100 individuals long working in hot metallurgic shops (forging and nonferrous metals processing) under unfavorable occupational conditions. Heating microclimate appeared to be leading occupational hazard. Adaptation to occupational environment was studied in all the examinees and 4 groups were defined according to the adaptation level and functional state of cardiovascular system. The study also included testing of psychiatric balneologic complex--bromide and iodine baths with magnetic laser therapy on Zakharyin-Ged zones.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of carcinoma 3LL on mouse fetuses in syngeneic and allogeneic pregnancies].

Effects of experimental Lewis lung carcinoma on embryogenesis was studied. It is shown, that maternal Lewis carcinoma possessed the pronounced embryolethal and teratogenic effects. The injuries of formation of fetoplacental units due to the fetal growth retardation, increase in frequency of congenital malformations were observed. Embryopathies were characterized by polymorphism of significance (degree of heaviness) and the range of defects. The frequency and pronouncement of fetal defects of development under syngenic pregnancy in comparison with allogenic pregnancy increased. We suggest to consider the interaction of pregnancy and cancer as endogenous teratogenic process, which changes the "microclimate" in which the realization of embryonal genetic programme takes place.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of the working-environment harmful factors and health risk of workers in a nitrogen fertilizer plant.

The authors examined the influence of harmful factors of the working environment such as: microclimate, dust, noise, vibrations, and chemical noxes such as: ammonia, nitric oxides, hydrogen fluoride and gaseous fluorides, on the health status of workers involved in the production of fertilizers and ammonia in a nitrogen fertilizer plant. Various biochemical examinations of 158 workers were carried out. The morbidity rate for 1993-1995 was also studied. The biochemical monitoring indicated a statistically significant dependence of the abnormalities of the biochemical parameters on the professional exposure. The metabolic disturbances were proved by serum creatinine and urea elevations and rising urinary ammonia concentrations, by disturbances of the liver function consisting in an enhanced transaminase activity, and by disorders of the mineral metabolism presented with an increased urinary phosphorus excretion at a low serum phosphorus level as well as with increased serum and urinary fluorine concentrations. The temporarily registered morbidity rate showed a tendency towards an increase in diseases of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system.

Fertilizers↗
PubMed1998

[The role of the working conditions in shaping the specific and nonspecific body reactions of miners in vibration-hazardous jobs].

An analysis was carried out of bodily functional status in miners engaged in basic mining occupations with known vibration-related health hazards (coal hewers, drifters), presenting with different stages of vibration pathology. Patterns were ascertained of chief components of both specific and unspecific bodily systemic reactions to a combined action of physical industrial factors (vibration, noise, dust, heating, microclimate). Important for those subjects engaged in occupations with vibration-related health threats are parameters characterizing labour conditions, such as, in the first place, integral-and-service duration-related exposure doses of industrial factors which are believed to be probabilistic risk factors for vibration pathology.

Coal Mining↗
PubMed1998

Year-round housedust mite levels on the Highveld.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of the allergen DerPI, attributable to the house-dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. DESIGN: A four-season study conducted during 1994/95, sampling mattresses and carpets in the main bedrooms of suburban homes. SETTING: Thirty randomly selected homes in the Edenvale area, occupied by both black and white families living under similar socio-economic conditions in comparable environments. RESULTS: All homes tested positive for the allergen, and in 20% HDM levels exceeded levels recognised as 'safe' in terms of respiratory allergy, i.e. 2 micrograms/g of dust. Once mites were established in a home, they remained for months thereafter. The considerable seasonal variation recorded in HDM levels could not readily be explained. CONCLUSIONS: The HDM is extremely sensitive to minimal variations in microclimate. Its year-round presence is of concern on the Highveld. Infestation levels below 2 micrograms/g of dust, until recently considered the critical point for sensitisation, may be significant triggers of symptoms.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of working conditions in a modern Russian milk processing plant from the aspect of occupational medicine.

AIM: Assessment of harmful industrial factors caused by work conditions in a modern milk processing plant. METHODS: Work conditions, rest, nutrition, medical service, and subjective health indices among the employees in a new milk processing plant were studied. We used a specially formed questionnaire; instrumental measurements of microclimate parameters, noise, and illumination at workplace; laboratory physical and chemical evaluation of air pollution with aerosols and gases in the plant premises; chronometric studies determining the workers' activity during the working day location, and physical and psychological body exertion at the time of industrial activities; and assessment of design and operating documents of the plant. Laboratory studies included 157 workers, 1,724 tests, 26 chronometric studies, and analysis of 11 plant's documents. RESULTS: Unfavorable microclimatic conditions, noise, inadequate illumination, air pollution with dust and toxic substances, physical workload, increased demand for concentration, and monotony of labor in mass production professions were found. A great proportion of workers was dissatisfied with their working conditions and many suffered from occupational diseases and work-related diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The conditions of work in the studied milk processing plant may be classified as harmful and dangerous. The flaws in technological process, omissions in design and construction of the plant, as well as its improper exploitation aggravated industrial harmful factors. In combination with unsatisfactory organization of rest, nutrition, and medical services in the plant these factors may affect the workers' health and cause general and occupational diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[A project for the organization and planning of a diagnostic ultrasonography area at a radiology department].

PURPOSE: The increasing use of ultrasound (US) for both diagnostic and interventional procedures has not been supported yet by proper and adequate planning of dedicated rooms. Therefore we studied both the organization and the design of such areas. METHODS AND DISCUSSION: As for organization, we considered: a) the kind of examination performed; b) the main department activity (in-/outpatients, diagnostic or interventional procedures); c) the schedule for each room by examination type and timing (patient preparation, actual examination and read-out times). As for room design, we studied the size and location of the diagnostic unit, dressing rooms, entrances and restrooms, as well as the furniture in general. We also studied the location of waiting rooms and corridors, the location and size of the read-out areas, and the room for post-interventional monitoring, as well as all the details about microclimate and lighting. Then we designed two different modules with the relevant planimetry: one featuring two adjacent diagnostic rooms and the other featuring a single diagnostic room. Some ergonomic solutions are also proposed concerning the location of the US system relative to the stretchers entrance and the location of the post-interventional monitoring room relative to the radiologic room(s). Finally, we evaluated the size of some peculiar pieces of equipment of a radiologic room by their function. CONCLUSIONS: The functional arrangement of the diagnostic US unit and its space requirements, permits to optimize the use of the whole structure complying with the ergonomic criteria for operators and enabling the rapid throughout of patients with no waste of time.

Hospital Design and Construction↗
PubMed2000

EMF exposure assessment in the Finnish garment industry: evaluation of proposed EMF exposure metrics.

Recently published studies indicate that having worked in occupations that involve moderate to high electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In these studies, the occupational groups most over-represented for EMF exposure comprised seamstresses, dressmakers, and tailors. Future epidemiologic studies designed to evaluate the possibility of a causal relationship between exposure to EMF and a neuro degenerative disease endpoint such as incidence of Alzheimer's disease, will benefit from the measurement of electromagnetic field metrics with potential biological relevance. Data collection methodology in such studies would be highly dependent upon how the metrics are defined. In this research the authors developed and demonstrated (1) protocols for collecting EMF exposure data suitable for estimating a variety of exposure metrics that may have biological relevance, and (2) analytical methods for calculation of these metrics. The authors show how exposure might be estimated under each of the three prominent EMF health-effects mechanism theories and evaluate the assertion that relative exposure ranking is dependent on which mechanism is assumed. The authors also performed AC RMS magnetic flux density measurements, confirming previously reported findings. The results indicate that seamstresses, as an occupational group, should be considered for study of the possible health effects of long-term EMF exposure.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

Building-related illness and antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde, toluene diisocyanate, and trimellitic anhydride.

A case of building-related health complaints was investigated with respect to the relationship among frequency of symptoms, antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde (HCHO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and tirmellitic anhydride (TMA), and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). The indoor air concentrations of VOCs, HCHO, TDI, and TMA did not exceed Fed-OSHA and ACGIH permissible standards. However, HCHO concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 0.08 ppm. The reported symptoms were multiple, involving the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, skeletomuscular system, and central nervous system. Anti-HCHO, -TDI, and -TMA isotypes were found in 12 of 14 full-time employees and were nondetectable in one part-time employee. There was a positive, but not statistically significant, correlation (r values ranged between .24 and .55) between symptoms and the geometric mean titers to conjugates. The data suggest that a synergistic immunological response to airborne chemicals may be occurring in these subjects. In conclusion, immunological monitoring of affected individuals where chemicals are suspected may prove to be useful in future investigations of building-related illness.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Brief communication: ancient DNA prospects from Sri Lankan highland dry caves support an emerging global pattern.

Recovery of ancient DNA has become an increasingly important tool in elucidating the origins of past populations and their relationships. Unfortunately, many human skeletal remains do not contain original DNA amplifiable by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amino-acid racemization has proven to be a useful predictor of ancient DNA results. We analyzed the relative levels of amino-acid preservation and racemization of human samples from two highland dry-cave sites in Sri Lanka, and found that amino-acid enantiomer ratios were inconsistent with successful authentic DNA recovery. A review of the literature reveals that these results are consistent with a global pattern of poor DNA preservation in the tropics.

Amino Acids↗