bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Meta‐Analysis on the Relationship between Pneumoconiosis and Lung Cancer
Authors: Tsuda Toshihide , Babazono Akira , Yamamoto Eiji , Mino Yoshio , Matsuoka Hiroaki
Published: February 2008

A Meta‐Analysis on the Relationship between Pneumoconiosis and Lung Cancer: Toshihide Tsuda, et al. Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Okayama University Medical School—An excess of lung cancer deaths among pneumoconiosis patients has been noted for many years but there has not been agreement on the excess of lung cancer deaths among pneumoconiosis patients in Japan. A meta‐analysis on the relationship between silicosis/pneumoconiosis and lung cancer mortality was conducted, by using 36 mortality studies published from 1980 to 1994. MEDLINE and other information sources were used for the information retrieval. After the critical appraisal, 32 eligible studies were identified. Study estimates were then pooled by using both the fixed effect model and the random effect model. An excess of lung cancer mortality among people with silicosis/pneumoconiosis was shown in all 32 studies. Although homogeneity among the studies was rejected (p<0.05) because the shape of the funnel plots assumed a symmetrical pyramidal shape, the summary rate ratio was estimated. The estimated rate ratio was 2.74 (95 percent confidence interval 2.60‐2.90) in all 32 studies, and 2.77 (2.61‐2.94) in 25 cohort studies. The random effect model results were almost the same as the fixed model results. The estimates in the Japanese studies were a little higher than the overall estimates, which indicated that lung cancer mortality was about three times higher among silicotic patients than among people in the control. This indicated a causal‐relationship between silicosis and lung cancer. This means that lung cancer should be regarded as one of the important complications of silicosis/pneumoconiosis. We recommend further research on the relationship between silica exposure and lung cancer.
A Comparison of One‐ and Two‐Sided Tests for Judging Significant Differences in Quantitative Data Obtained in Toxicological Bioassay of Laboratory Animals
Authors: Kobayashi Katsumi
Published: February 2008

A Comparison of One‐ and Two‐Sided Tests for Judging Significant Differences in Quantitative Data Obtained in Toxicological Bioassay of Laboratory Animals. Katsumi Kobayashi. Biosafety Research Center, Foods, Drugs and Pesticides—Since there are many ambiguous statements concerning the selection of one‐ or two‐sided tests in the statistical analysis of toxicological data, I examined the rate of appearance of significant differences in the data showing a trend in either a fixed direction or a mixed sided direction compared with the control and the number of significant differences to these two tests by t and Dunnett's tests in a long‐term chronic/carcinogenicity study conducted at the An‐Pyo Center, in addition to referring to the most widely used statistical analyses by mean of the one‐or two‐sided test in the literature. The results were as follows; (1) Almost all quantitative data (578 out of 700 cases) showed a fixed trend with statistically significant differences (p<0.05) compared with the control value. (2) The number of significant differences obtained with the one‐sided test was greater than with the two‐sided test in either analysis of the t or Dunnett's test; that is, the percentages of the significant differences in the two‐sided test were 85 and 86% of those in the one‐sided test by means of t and Dunnett's test, respectively. (3) The frequency of use of the one‐sided tests was very low in both Japanese and international publications. Consequently, the one‐sided test may be recommended for statistical analyses of toxicological bioassay data that generally show a fixed trend as compared with the control values, since more rigid evaluation of the data of the chemical effects on the living body and the environment is necessary.
Effects of Styrene on Peripheral Nerve Conduction Velocities in Rats
Authors: Yamamoto Tadashi , Teramoto Keiko , Horiguchi Shun'ichi
Published: February 2008

Effects of Styrene on Peripheral Nerve Conduction Velocities in Rats: Tadashi Yamamoto, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, Osaka City University Medical School—The effects of styrene on the peripheral nerves were studied by measuring conduction velocities of the tail nerve in 24 male Wistar rats which had been exposed to 0 (control), 200 and 2,000 ppm of styrene (8 rats for each concentration) for 32 wk (8 h/dx5 d/wk), from the age of 8 wk, and in the same number of rats which received the same treatment since they were 4 wk of age. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), distal latency (DL) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) were determined at 2‐wk intervals from the age of 8 wk to 16 wk after the end of exposure. Body weight in the 2,000 ppm (start at 4 and 8 wk of age) and 200 ppm (start at 4 wk of age) exposure groups were significantly lower than in the control group. MCV and DL in the all exposure groups were not significantly different from the control group. SCV in the 2,000 ppm (start at 4 and 8 wk of age) and 200 ppm (start at 8 wk of age) exposure groups were significantly lower than in the control group during the styrene exposure. After discontinuation of exposure, SCV remained small in the 2,000 ppm group (start at 4 wk) compared with that in the controls, but showed recovery in the other exposure groups. The effects on the decrease in SCV were greater in the distal than in the proximal area.
Validation of a Self‐Administered Questionnaire on Asthmatic Symptoms and Atopy in House Painters
Authors: Wieslander Gunilla , Norbäck D. , Janson C. , Edling C.
Published: February 2008

Validation of a Self‐Administered Questionnaire on Asthmatic Symptoms and Atopy in House Painters: Gunilla Wieslander, et ai. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University—The aim of this study was to validate questions on asthmatic symptoms and atopy among Swedish house painters. Clinical investigations were performed in 44 male painters, selected by stratified sampling from a larger group of 415 painters. Symptoms were recorded by means of a self‐administered questionnaire. Clinical examinations were performed after an exposure free weekend, and included dermal prick test to nine common allergens, dynamic spirometry, and methacholine challenge test (MCT). Atopy was defined as at least one positive skin prick test to common allergens. A forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVd below 80% of normal values were considered a sign of impaired lung function. A cumulative dose of methacholine below 8 mg causing a 20% decrease in FEVt (PD20) was considered a sign of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Sensitivity and specificity for different questions was calculated. Most single airway symptom had a good sensitivity for severe BHR, defined as a PD2o below 0.5 mg of methacholine. For milder BHR, however, sensitivity was below 50% for most single symptoms, except the question on nonspecific hyperreactivity symptoms. By combining the symptoms to a symptom score predicable of BHR, a high sensitivity could be obtained for both mild BHR and severe BHR. Most single questions on respiratory symptoms had high specificity, but low sensitivity, as predictors of impaired FEV‐,. Sensitivity for impaired FEV‐, was improved by constructing another symptom score, predictable of FEVt. The assessment of a history of atopy by five questions on asthma, hay fever and eczema in childhood was significantly related to atopy verified by a positive dermal prick test (79% sensitivity and 75% specificity). There was also a significant relation between self‐reported hay fever and positive prick test to pollen extracts (52% sensitivity and 90% specificity). In conclusion, our questions on airway symptoms and atopy are related to clinical signs of BHR, impaired FEV1# and atopy respectively. By combining different symptoms to symptom scores, the problem with low sensitivity of single questions on airway symptoms and atopy can be reduced.
Age‐Specific Analysis of Liver Dysfunction among Printing Plant Workers
Authors: Honda Yasushi , Kaido Takero , Muto Shiraako , Kitamura Kuniaki
Published: February 2008

Age‐Specific Analysis of Liver Dysfunction among Printing Plant Workers: Yasushi Honda, et al. Environmental Health Sciences Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies—This cross‐sectional survey investigated the age difference in the effect of two major causes of liver dysfunction, i.e., obesity and drinking. “Liver dysfunction” is defined here as an abnormal level of either serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT). After eliminating subjects who are either hepatitis B antigen positive or hepatitis C antibody positive, we obtained 901 male study subjects aged 24 to 63 working at two printing plants, whose tasks did not entail exposure to materials that might cause liver dysfunction. The proportion of subjects with’ liver dysfunction was higher in the 40‐49 year age group than in any other age group. We consider this age pattern was mainly attributable to the following two factors: (1) Among non‐drinkers, the prevalence ratio (PR) for the moderately obese group was 3.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.1 1 0.4) and the PR for severely obese group was 8.2 (3.0‐22.9) compared with the non‐obese group in the 40‐49 year age group, whereas the corresponding Mantel‐Haenszel PRs controlled for age were 1.6 (0.97‐2.7) and 4.4 (2.8‐7.1), respectively. (2) The proportion of subjects with obesity or with a drinking habit is higher in the 40‐49 year age group. The effect of habitual drinking was not great : The Mantel‐Haenszel PR (controlled for age) for drinkers compared with “non‐habitual‐drinkers” was 1.2 (0.72‐2.0) for the non‐obese group, 1.8 (1.1‐2.8) for the moderately obese group, and 0.84 (0.48‐1.5) for the severely obese subjects.
Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss in Working Environment and its Background
Authors: Morioka Ikuharu , Miyashita Kazuhisa , Takeda Shintaro
Published: February 2008

Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss in Working Environment and its Background: Ikuharu Morioka, et at. Department of Hygiene, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University—The excessive exposure to noise results in temporary and/or permanent changes in hearing ability in both human and animal subjects. The noise‐induced hearing loss in workers was previously known as industrial deafness and it is still an important problem in occupational health. The purpose of this review is to describe the major findings obtained in epidemiological and experimental studies on the effects of noise in the working environment on man. The discussion begins with a classification of noise‐induced hearing loss and the background of hearing impairment in workers. The degree of noise‐induced hearing loss depends on both the characteristics of noise and the individual sensitivity to noise. Factors related to noise‐induced hearing loss are reviewed. When the hearing ability is evaluated among aged workers, presbycusis cannot be ignored. Important new evidence is reviewed on hearing impairment caused by both aging and noise‐induced hearing loss. Exposure to intensive noise changes the structure and function of the basilar membrane, sensory hair cells, the tectorial membrane and tip links, and the cochlear blood flow. The pathology and pathophysiology of noise‐induced hearing loss are also explored. Relation between exposure to noise and hearing impairment is discussed to predict the effects of longterm exposure. Finally, the diagnosis and prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss are reviewed.
Epidemiological Study of Periodontal Disease and White Blood Cell Count among Employees in a Company
Authors: Yoshida Yukie , Imaki Masahide , Nishida Ken , Tanada Seiki
Published: February 2008

Epidemiological Study of Periodontal Disease and White Blood Cell Count among Employees in a Company: Yukie Yoshida, et al. Osaka Prefectural College of Health Science—The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the white blood cell (WBC) count and periodontal disease as classified by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) in 1,241 male Japanese factory workers by determining their WBC count and the extent of their periodontal disease. The results obtained were as follows: in both smoker and non‐smoker, the results of a two‐way ANOVA indicated that the CPITN score 3 and 4 groups had a significantly higher WBC count than the CPITN score 0, 1 and 2 groups. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the WBC counts were significantly associated with age, smoking and the CPITN score. It appeared that there was a significant relationship between the WBC count and the prevalence of periodontal disease among employees in a company.
Renal Dysfunction Indicators in Lead Exposed Workers
Authors: Jung Kap‐Yeol , Lee Sang‐Ju , Kim Joon‐Youn , Hong Young‐Seoub , Kim Sung‐Ryul , Kim Dong‐II , Song Jue‐Bok
Published: February 2008

Real Dysfunction Indicators in Lead Exposed Workers: Kap‐Yeol Jung, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Industrial Medicine Research Institute, Dong‐A University School of Medicine—This study was undertaken to find out which indicators were most valuable as markers of renal dysfunction related to lead exposure. We selected 75 male workers from the secondary lead smelter, plastic stabilizer and radiator manufacturing industries (the “exposed” group) and 64 male office workers (the “control” group). Blood lead, blood zinc protoporphyrin, urine lead, urine coproporphyrin, δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, and urine δ‐aminolevulinic acid were chosen as indicators of lead exposure. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, urine N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase, urine albumin, urinea α1‐microglobulin and urine β2‐microglobulin were used as indicators of renal dysfunction. The urine α2‐microglobulin level was significantly associated with the lead exposure level. Blood urea nitrogen, urine N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase and urine α1‐microglobulin levels were highly correlated with indicators of lead exposure. Urine α1‐microglobulin had the highest correlation with other indicators of renal function. Conclusively, blood urea nitrogen, urine N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase and urine α1‐microglobulin are useful indicators, but urine α1‐microglobulin is the earliest and the most valuable indicator of renal dysfunction due to lead exposure.
Recent State and Future Scope of Occupational Health in Japan
Authors: Okubo Toshiteru
Published: February 2008

Recent State and Future Scope of Occupational Health in Japan: Toshiteru Okubo. Occupational Health Training Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—The most significant characteristic of the working population of Japan is aging. The increase in the senior population puts substantial pressure on the health insurance and pension systems and many health insurance organizations have decided to cut down voluntary programs on occupational health. The nature of occupational diseases has changed from health impairments caused by a single prominent occupational factor to unspecific health problems caused by the combinedeffect of both occupational and non‐ occupational factors. Diseases occurring through this mechanism are called work‐related diseases, in contrast to typical occupational diseases. It is no longer effective to simply remove a single hazardous environmental factor, as has been the major approach in occupational health. A comprehensive approach is more important than ever. Health promotion in the work place is therefore one of the most important services in Japan. Along with the improvement of the work environment, workers’ values regarding labor have also changed and they seek working conditions better than the threshold level to prevent health hazards11) . Under these conditions the basic concept of occupational health should not be limited to only minimizing the minus health effects, but it should introduce the idea of seeking positive health. Positive health always seeks to improve health from any level, but up to now medical science has paid very little attention to positive health and there is lack of knowledge and experience. The highest priority of research in this field is therefore to be found in the development of positive health indicators.
A Cross‐Sectional Observation of the Effects of Hydrazine Hydrate on Workers' Health
Authors: Nomiyama Tetsuo , Omae Kazuyuki , Tanaka Shigeru , Miyauchi Hiroyuki , Koizumi Akio , Tsukada Mikako , Wada Yasuhiko , Mogi Takashi , Imamiya Shunichiro , Sakurai Haruhiko
Published: February 2008

A Cross‐Sectional Observation of the Effects of Hydrazine Hydrate on Workers' Health: Tetsuo Nomiyama, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University

Objective

To clarify the current and cumulative effects of hydrazine hydrate (HH) (N2H4 · H2O: CAS No. 7803‐57‐8) on workers' health.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was carried out on 172 male HH‐exposed workers (age 18‐60, mean 39.6; exposure duration 0.50‐34.17) and 125 male referent workers (age 19‐58, mean 40.9) at 5 factories making HH or hydrazine derivatives in Japan. Current exposure concentrations were assessed by determining hydrazine in the breathing zones and urinary hydrazine + acetylhydrazine. The cumulative exposure level was assessed by multiplying the individuals' working durations at the job sites and the estimated past environmental levels at the job sites. Clinical examinations were performed with particular focus on hepatic and renal function tests. N‐acetyltransferase (NAT2) phenotypes were assessed. Acute and chronic subjective symptoms related to HH were examined by self‐administered questionnaires.

Results

No hydrazine was detected in either the breathing zones or the urine of the referent workers. The mean hydrazine concentration in the breathing zones, hydrazine + acetylhydrazine in urine, and cumulative exposure level were 0.0109 ppm (N.D.‐0.2003), 0.8660 μ mol/g · Cr (N.D.‐14.20), and 2.80 ppm‐years (0.003‐19) respectively. There was no difference and no dose‐dependent change in either the means or the prevalence of abnormal findings in health examination items between the HH‐exposed and the referent workers after adjusting confounding factors and by means of the differences of NAT2 phenotypes. Among 90 subjective symptoms, complaint of “nightmares” was significantly related to HH exposure.

Conclusion

In this study, no health effect regarding current and cumulative HH exposure was observed in the HH‐exposed workers when compared to the referent workers.
Plasma Free Amino Acids in Workers Working under Different Stress Conditions
Authors: Wu Tang‐Chun , Yuan Ye , Bi Yong‐Yi , He Han‐Zhen , Zhang Guo‐Gao
Published: February 2008

Plasma Free Amino Acids in Workers Working under Different Stress Conditions: Tang‐Chun Wu et al. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Tongji Medical University—Many harmful occupational factors induce the stress response and result in both the induction of heat stress proteins and the inhibition of the synthesis of other cellular proteins. Since amino acid levels are intimately linked to protein synthesis, we examined the free amino acid levels in the plasma of workers subjected to prolonged exposure to heat, carbon monoxide (CO) or both. The results showed that the levels of most amino acids tended to increase in the plasma of workers in stressful environments, and that free methionine and tryptophan increased significantly (p<0.05) in the heat, CO, and heat+CO groups when compared to a control group. The largest increase was seen in the heat+CO group, followed by the heat group, and finally the CO group. The changes in plasma free amino acid levels in the stress‐exposed workers correlate to the induction of heat stress proteins. These findings suggest that the regulation of plasma amino acids levels, by preventing amino acid accumulation possibly resulting from a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis following exposure to stressors, may help to protect workers from these extreme conditions.
A Cross‐Sectional Observation on The Association of Menopause with Coronary Risk Factors in Japanese Female Workers
Authors: Noborisaka Yuka , Ishida Masaaki , Ishizaki Masao , Nakaishi Hitoshi , Tsuritani Ikiko , Honda Ryumon , Yamada Yuichi
Published: February 2008

A Cross‐Sectional Observation on The Association of Menopause with Coronary Risk Factors in Japanese Female Workers: Yuka Noborisaka, et al. Department of Hygiene, Kanazawa Medical University—Biological risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), i.e., blood pressure, serum lipids and uric acid (UA), blood glucose and hemoglobin A1 c, together with serum hepatic enzymes, were measured in 260 female workers consisting of 118 40‐year‐olds, 102 50‐y.o. and 40 60‐y.o., and the age‐related differences were compared with male workers of the same age. The association of menopause with the risk factors and serum hepatic enzymes was also evaluated. Serum total cholesterol (Teh), triglycerides (TG), UA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were higher in the females in higher age groups, much more noticeably than in the males. Serum Tch was lower in the females aged 40 y than in the males, but higher in the females aged 50 and 60 y. Other parameters remained better in the females in all three age groups. A significant association of menopause was found with a higher serum Tch level and was suggested with higher serum ALT and GGT levels. Tch was highest in women <5 years from menopause while ALT and GGT were highest in women 5 to 9 years from menopause, suggesting a quick change in serum Tch and gradual changes in serum hepatic enzymes after menopause. These adverse changes in serum lipids and hepatic enzymes after menopause should be taken into consideration in industrial health care for middle‐aged women.
Lead and Cadmium Levels in the Atmosphere in Mainland China: A review
Authors: Zhang Zuo‐Wen , Qu Jiang‐Bin , Ikeda Masayuki
Published: February 2008

Lead and Cadmium Levels in the Atmosphere in Mainland China: Zuo‐Wen Zhang, et al. Department of Public Health, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine—The 1984‐1997 retrieval of Chinese papers yielded 16 reports on the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in air of the general environment in Mainland China, in which Pb and Cd levels were reported in 29 and 10 cases, respectively. The reported values are scattered over a wide range of 0.08 to 2.69 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.001 to 0.07 μg/m3 for Cd. The combination of high‐volume air sampling and atomic absorption spectrometry (either graphite furnace or flame) was the common method. Difference in sampling sites within the same study region and seasonal changes are among the factors identified to induce variation. No substantial difference was detected among regions with various degrees of urbanization, and trends over recent years were not remarkable both in Pb and in Cd levels. The grand geometric mean for Mainland China was thus estimated to be 0.25 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.01 μg/m3 for Cd. These values appear to be several times higher than those reported for Japan (i.e., 0.01 to 0.08 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.001 to 0.003 μg/m3 for Cd).
A Review on the Cadmium Content of Rice, Daily Cadmium Intake, and Accumulation in the Kidneys
Authors: Kawada Tomoyuki , Suzuki Shosuke
Published: February 2008

A Review on the Cadmium Content of Rice, Daily Cadmium Intake, and Accumulation in the Kidneys: Tomoyuki Kawada, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine—The body burden of cadmium primarily depends on the daily intake of the element in food, and thus the geographical differences in cadmium content in foods and the daily intake of cadmium should be studied. There is a food chain from soil through plant and animal foods to man. Estimation of daily cadmium intake according to the geographical region is important for monitoring environmental cadmium pollution and health effects. In the 1990s, the daily intake of cadmium and accumulation in the kidney were reported. Japanese have a relatively high daily intake of cadmium, although the percentage daily cadmium intake obtained from rice decreased from 50% in 1970 to 34% in 1994. This change is proportional to the change in average rice consumption from 261 g/day in 1970 to 182 g/day in 1994. These changes also indicate a reduced cadmium burden in the past twenty years, from 35‐50 μg/day to 30 μg/day. The cadmium level in the renal cortex of Japanese is the highest in the world, but the cadmium in the kidney has been decreasing in most Japanese.
Increases in DNA and Protein Syntheses in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Treated with Asbestos
Authors: Karasaki Yuji , Urano Hajime , Shirahata Akira , Nambu Ziro , Ohji Taro , Miura Masayoshi , Gotoh Sadao
Published: February 2008

Increase in DNA and Protein Syntheses in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Treated with Asbestos: Yuji Karasaki, et al. School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health—When human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with crocidolíte asbestos, HUVECs phagocytized the fibers; no cytotoxic effect was observed when treated at concentrations lower than 10 μg/ml for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The time‐dependent effect of crocidolite asbestos on DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in HUVECs was studied. The DNA synthesis of the cells exhibited the maximum augmentation (150%) at 24 h, and the protein synthesis increased to the maximal value (140%) at 36 h. The dose‐dependent effect of crocidolite asbestos on DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in HUVECs was also studied. The maximum increases in DNA synthesis and protein synthesis were observed at 5 μg/ml and at 10 μglml of the fibers, respectively. An apparent increase in DNA synthesis may be mainly due to the repair of DNA damage induced by asbestos under our present experimental conditions, but also in part due to the mitogenic effect of asbestos. Cell injury and DNA damage will remain for a while in the cells, and asbestos fibers phagocytized into cells may induce not only specific but also nonspecific gene transcriptions, which might promote mutations in HUVECs and asbestosis.
Using Pilot Data to Estimate Sample Size and Compare Question Forms for a Crossover Study*
Authors: Dong Maxia , Petersen Martin R. , Mendell Mark J.
Published: February 2008

Using Pilot Data to Estimate Sample Size and Compare Question Forms for a Crossover Study: Maxia Dong, et al. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—A pilot study was conducted on thirty office workers to help determine if a scannable form of symptom severity questions would yield similar results as a nonscannable form. There were three goals of the pilot study: first, to observe if, in a questionnaire using two forms of Visual Analog Scales (VAS), questions using a scannable sequence of “boxes” for responses would elicit different mean responses than questions using unbroken “lines”; second, to observe if questions using a sequence of “boxes” would elicit different within person and week response variability than questions using unbroken “lines”; and third, to estimate the sample size needed for a crossover study, depending on the particular form of the question used, and the number of crossovers. The pilot study, consisting of three sequential weekly questionnaires, provided week, subject, and error variance components for each of three dependent variables from the two different VAS forms. Most of the calculations were performed with a log transformation of the data. For each VAS form, the number of subjects necessary for desired study power for each symptom was calculated. Based on this pilot study, neither the mean nor the within person and week variance component was consistently larger or smaller for the VASbox form than for the VASlme form. The linear models analysis showed that the two forms filled out by the same person on the same day had similar mean values and were highly correlated for all symptoms (R2>0.95). Thus we chose the VASbox form because of scanner compatibility and estimated the required number of subjects for our full‐scale study based on this chosen form.
Environmental and Biological Monitoring of Styrene Exposure: Urinary Excretion of D‐Glucaric Acid Compared with Exposure Indices
Authors: Scapellato M.L. , Marcuzzo G. , Mastrangelo G. , Sessa G. , Cellini M. , De Rosa E. , Saia B. , Bartolucci G.B.
Published: February 2008

Environmental and Biological Monitoring of Styrene Exposure: Urinary Excretion of D‐Glucaric Acid Compared with Exposure Indices: M.L. Scapellato, et al. Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro, University degli Studi di Padova—Styrene, oxidized by liver microsomal enzymes, can determine a liver enzyme induction. Urinary excretion of D‐glucaric acid (DGA), which is believed to estimate this effect, was measured in 27 workers exposed to styrene in a fiberglass plant and in 27 control subjects in order to make a comparison with environmental and biological exposure indices. In exposed workers, airborne concentrations (8‐h TWA) of styrene varied between 9 and 415 mg/m3, with styrene metabolites [sum of mandelic acid (MA) + phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA)] ranging from 93 to 2130 mg/g Cr in endshift urine samples collected on a Thursday, and from 45 to 792 mg/g Cr in samples taken before work the following morning. The correlation coefficient (r) between 8‐h TWAs and sum of urinary metabolites MA + PGA was 0.92 (y=4.06x‐36.05; p<0.001) for Thursday endshift (ES) samples, and 0.84 (y=1.46x + 46.82; p<0.001) for Friday morning samples (beginning of shift: BS). Urinary excretion of MA correlated better with exposure than that of PGA (MA: ES r=0.91; BS r=0.86. PGA: ES r=0.80; BS r=0.76). ES and BS levels of DGA in exposed subjects (equal to 4.41 ± 1.57 and 4.01 ±1.18 mmol/mol Cr respectively) were both significantly higher than the 2.93 ± 0.88 observed in 27 control subjects (Mann‐Whitney test; p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between individual exposure to styrene evaluated by the environmental concentration or by urinary metabolites and urinary excretion of DGA. Furthermore, both ES and BS urinary DGA levels increased across three classes of styrene exposure (<100, 101‐200, and >200 mg/m3, respectively, including 10, 7 and 10 workers). The DGA difference between the most exposed and the not exposed subjects was significant (ES‐DGA: z=4.03 and p <0.05; BS‐DGA: z=3.16 and p<0.05; Kruskall‐Wallis test), but individual pairwise comparisons among all other groups were not. In spite of the above results, no significant correlation was found between individual exposure to styrene and urinary excretion of DGA, so that this biomarker cannot be used to monitor the exposure effects on an individual basis.
Urinary Excretion of Thioethers Related to Styrene Exposure
Authors: Truchon Ginette , Bégin Denis , Lesage Jacques , Goldberg Mark , Talbot Diane , Drolet Daniel , Gérin Michel
Published: February 2008

Urinary Excretion of Thioethers Related to Styrene Exposure: Ginette Truchon et al. Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada—The objective of this study was to test the suitability of styrene‐specific mercapturic acids as urinary bioindicators of occupational styrene exposure. The excretion of mandelic acid (MA), global thioethers and styrene‐specific mercapturic acids was measured in urine samples from 64 workers employed in three companies fabricating glass fiber‐reinforced polyester products. Global thioethers were measured by a spectrophotometric method while MA and specific mercapturic acids, N‐acetyl‐S‐(1‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐L‐cysteine (M1) and N‐acetyl‐S‐(2‐phenyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐L‐cysteine (M2), were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography with UV detection. Excretion of M1 and M2 was qualitatively verified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The environmental measurements were carried out with passive dosimeters. Workers had 8‐h TWA exposure levels ranging from 0 to 667 mg/m3. End‐of‐shift MA excretion ranged from 0 to 2.08 mmol/mmol creatinine and was well correlated with environmental styrene exposure (r=0.91, p<0.001). M1 and M2 were detected (i.e. above ca. 1 μmol/mmol creatinine) in urine samples of only three workers who were exposed to various concentrations of styrene. End‐of‐shift excretion of global thioethers was found to be significantly correlated to cigarette consumption as well as to styrene exposure, as measured by end‐of‐shift MA excretion. In opposition to data from rats, our results indicate that humans exposed to styrene excrete little styrene‐specific thioethers. The apparent inter‐individual variability in excretion of M1 and M2 suggests that they may not constitute suitable indicators of occupational styrene exposure.
Gender and Hierarchical Differences in Lead‐Contaminated Japanese Bone from the Edo Period
Authors: Nakashima Tamiji , Hayashi Haruki , Tashiro Hiraku , Matsushita Takayuki
Published: February 2008

Gender and Hierarchical Differences in Lead‐Contaminated Japanese Bone from the Edo Period: Tamiji Nakashima, et al. Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

Objectives

We analyzed lead concentrations in bones from both genders of the Japanese samurai class and compared findings with those of the farmer and fisherman classes in the Edo period (1603‐1867) to clarify gender and hierarchical (or occupational) differences in lead exposure during the Japanese feudal age.

Methods

Tests were performed by atomic absorption.

Results

Female samurai bones (30.5 μg Pb/g dry bone) showed higher lead concentrations than male samurai bones (15.6μg Pb/g dry bone), but these differences were not significant. This tendency was also seen in the farmer and fisherman classes (male: 1.0 μg Pb/g dry bone; female: 1.7 μg Pb/g dry bone). Strong hierarchical differences between samurai and farmer/fisherman classes were seen in both genders in this study (p<0.001). One of the female samples from the Samurai class, who was a daughter of the 6th feudal lord in Kokura (Japan), had 945.5 μg Pb/g dry bone.

Conclusion

The samurai class were the aristocrats of society. We assume that facial cosmetics (white lead) comprised one of the main routes of lead exposure among the samurai class, because cosmetics were a luxury in that period.
Cholinesterase Status of Some Ethiopian State Farm Workers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides
Authors: Lakew Kibruyisfa , Mekonnen Yalemtsehay
Published: February 2008

Cholinesterase Status of Some Ethiopian State Farm Workers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides : Kibruyisfa Lakew, et al. Occupational Safety and Health Division, Region 14 Labour and Social Affairs Bureau—The effects of organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure on cholinesterase (ChE) activities were assessed in relation to occupational factors by studying 430 pest control workers from three state farms and 161 comparable controls. Plasma cholinesterase (PChE) and erythrocyte cholinesterase (AChE) activities were determined by an electrometric method. Plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were estimated colorimetrically by using diagnostic kits 6391 and 1442520 respectively. Information on OP poisoning symptoms and related occupational factors were collected based on the WHO recommendations. Pest control workers had significantly lower PChE and AChE activities than the controls (P<0.001). In addition, 58 (13.5%) and 47 (10.9%) of the exposed workers had PChE and AChE activities below the lower limits of the controls respectively. Normal plasma AP and GPT values without significant difference from the controls were noted. Among the exposed population, the “spray men” and those who were exposed for 5 years or less were found to be the most affected groups. Although poisoning symptoms were more frequent in the exposed workers than in the controls, only sweating was found to have an association with a significant reduction in AChE activities (P<0.05). The study revealed that the health risks are more apparent in the exposed workers and are of immediate concern. Pre‐placement and periodic medical examination and creation of swareness among the exposed population are recommended to minimize the problem.
Electrophysiological Changes Induced by Different Doses of 1‐Bromopropane and 2‐Bromopropane
Authors: Zhao Wenyuan , Aoki Kazuo , Xie Tonxing , Misumi Junichi
Published: February 2008

Electrophysiological Changes Induced by Different Doses of 1‐Bromopropane and 2‐Bromopropane: Wenyuan Zhao, et al. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Oita Medical University—To ascertain the neurotoxicity of 2‐bromopropane and 1‐bromopropane, three doses of 2‐bromopropane (1.1, 3.7 and 11.0 mmol/kg), two doses of 1‐bromopropane (3.7 and 11.0 mmol/kg), and a dose of 2,5‐hexanedione (2,5‐HD) as a positive reference (2.6 mmol/kg) dissolved in olive oil were subcutaneously injected into rats once a day, 5 d/wk for 4 weeks. A control group were injected with olive oil alone. The maximum motor conduction velocity (MCV) and the motor latency (ML) in rat tail nerve, as indexes of the electrophysiological changes, were investigated for 4 weeks. From 2 weeks after the injections, the MCV in the 1‐bromopropane and 2‐bromopropane‐treated groups began to decrease in a dose‐dependent fashion. These dose‐related decreases continued, and the MCV in the groups injected with 1‐bromopropane (11.0 mmol/kg) and 2‐bromopropane (3.7 and 11.0 mmol/kg) decreased significantly compared with that in the control group. The ML in the 1‐bromopropane and 2‐bromopropane‐treated groups increased in reverse correlation with the MCV decreases. The changes in ML occurred earlier than the MCV changes in the 1‐bromopropane and 2‐bromopropane‐treated groups. The potency of the peripheral neurotoxic changes induced by 1‐bromopropane and 2‐bromopropane at the doses used in the present study was weaker than that observed in the positive reference 2,5‐HD (2.6 mmol/kg) group.
An Analytical Study on Gender Differences in Self‐Reported Oral Health Care and Problems of Japanese Employees
Authors: Kawamura Makoto , Wright Fredrick Allan Clive , Sasahara Hisako , Yamasaki Yukiko , Suh Sookja , Iwamoto Yoshifumi
Published: February 2008

An Analytical Study on Gender Differences in Self‐Reported Oral Health Care and Problems of Japanese Employees: Makoto Kawamura, et al. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Hiroshima University School of Dentistry—The purpose of this survey was to clarify gender differences in self‐reported oral health care and problems of Japanese employees. A 60‐item questionnaire named Dental Checker® was used in a project on oral health in the working place. Subjects were 77,845 Japanese employees (males, 52,345; females, 25,500). The Mantel‐Haenszel chi‐square test was used to clarify gender differences among respondents. Of great significance was a finding that 81.8% of females felt uncomfortable when they slept without brushing their teeth, as contrast with 58.8% of males (P<0.001, OR=3.22). Nearly one half of male employees answered that they were too busy to go to the dentist, while 36.8% of females answered in this way (P<0.001, OR=1.83). Only a minority reported occasional use of dental floss (males; 13.2%, females; 24.9%, P<0.001, OR=2.04). Significant gender differences were found for all 18 behavioral items, and in each case, females generally reported ‘healthier’ behavior than males. Although differences between genders were small with respect to their assessment of the risk factors of periodontal disease, male employees were more likely to report bad breath, enlarged spaces between teeth, food impaction, chewing restriction, and tooth mobility than females (P<0.001, OR=1.26‐1.78). Findings suggest that gender as well as age remains an important consideration when planning dental health education or other interventions at the workplace.
Differences in Lifestyle‐related Risk Factors for Death by Occupational Groups; A Prospective Study
Authors: Hara Megumi , Mori Mitsuru , Nishizumi Masahiro
Published: February 2008

Differences in Lifestyle‐related Risk Factors for Death by Occupational Groups; A Prospective Study: Megumi Hara et al. Department of Community Health Science, Saga Medical School—To evaluate the relationship between lifestyle and risk of death from all causes in different occupational groups, we conducted a follow‐up (13.6 years) study of 2,262 subjects who were selected randomly out of 40‐69 year‐old inhabitants of Saga Prefecture in 1983. At that time it was found that among male white‐collar workers, as well as blue‐collar workers, the risk of death was significantly associated with poor health status. The smoking habit had increased the relative risk of death, but a significant difference was found only among male white‐collar workers. Among male farmers, as well as the male blue‐collar workers, risk of death was associated with a low score in the physical function test in 1983. In female sales and service workers, the risk of death was significantly associated with decreased physical activity. Among the female farmers, there was no significant relationship between any lifestyle and risk of death. Among the female housekeepers and the retired, the risk of death was significantly associated with poor health status in 1983. Consequently the results of this study suggest that there may be some differences in risk factors for death associated with occupational group, but it can be inferred from the results that keeping in good health, maintaining high physical function, and quitting smoking may reduce the risk of death in all occupational groups.
Different Effects of Serum Iron Status on the Relationship between Blood Lead and Zinc Protoporphyrin in Lead Workers in Korea
Authors: Ahn Hyun‐Cheol , Hwang Kyu‐Yoon , Kim Yong‐Bae , Lee Gap‐Soo , Lee Sung‐Soo , Ahn Kyu‐Dong , Lee Byung‐Kook
Published: February 2008

Different Effects of Serum Iron Status on the Relationship between Blood Lead and Zinc Protoporphyrin in Lead Workers in Korea: Hyun‐Cheol Ahn, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute of Industrial Medicine, School of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University—This study was conducted to determine whether there was a different toxic effect of lead on heme synthesis by serum iron status in 360 lead workers in Korea. We examined the association between blood lead (PbB) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) in whole blood according to the level of serum iron in low to moderate lead‐exposed workers in 1997‐1998. Serum iron levels (FeS) were divided into two groups: iron‐deficient group (serum iron < 80 μg/d/, 57 subjects) and iron‐sufficient group (serum iron ≥ 80 μg/d/, 303 subjects). Blood lead corrected by the standard value for hemoglobin (15 g/ d1) as an explanatory variable was assessed to explain the variance of ZPP. After adjusting for possible confounders, such as age, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and size of factory, the linear slope of corrected PbB on ZPP in the iron‐deficient group was statistically higher than that of the iron‐sufficient group. The interaction term between corrected PbB and ZPP with the modification of the serum iron status was statistically significant in the regression model (p=0.0053). The result suggests that the relationship between corrected PbB and ZPP may be modified by the serum iron status in male lead‐exposed workers.
A Modified Photostress Test among Video Display Terminal Workers in a Certain Governmental Company in Jakarta
Authors: Halim Fx. Suharyanto , Achmadi Umar Fahmi
Published: February 2008

A Modified Photostress Test among Video Display Terminal Workers in a Certain Governmental Company in Jakarta: FX. Suharyanto Halim, et al. Non‐Communicable Diseases Research Center, National Institute of Health R & D, Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia—In an effort to determine the objective parameters of “asthenopia” or “eye strain” in video display terminal (VDT) workers, a modified photostress‐test which was a combination of the regular photostress test and the test of contrast sensivity with the Pelli‐Robson chart was performed. This measurement was based on two conditions at the same time while working with computers. The first condition was a short working distance which relates to “transient myopia” and induced contrast sensitivity disturbance, and the second was light exposure from a VDT which was analogous to a photostress test. The parameter used was “recovery time”. The population for this study were VDT workers which had asthenopic complaints and were divided into two groups, the study group (high exposed VDT) and the control group (low exposed VDT), with 42 subjects in each group. The study findings showed a decrease in recovery time during one hour of work in both groups‐operators and nonoperators. This value might be increased again after two hours of work, but when work time was within 1‐2 h if did not result in asthenopia. The deviated recovery time of 19.78% indication a greater risk of asthenopia (p<0.05). Sex, job functions as operators, age, the Hb level and environmental factors as a whole tended to affect the incidence of asthenopia.
The Prospect for Occupational Health Nursing Activities in Small and Medium Sized Workplaces
Authors: Jung Moon‐Hee
Published: February 2008

The Prospect for Occupational Health Nursing Activities in Small and Medium Sized Workplaces: Moon‐Hee Jung. Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Hanyang University—In Korea, nurses perform their services in different ways according to the scale of the workplace: In large workplaces they work as full‐timers and in small and medium ones they work as visiting nurses, placed by health management agencies. Regardless of their ways of service, occupational health nurses conduct a large part of health management affairs. Health management affairs have so far aimed at decreasing occupational diseases, but when working conditions are improved and occupational diseases decrease, their goals will be changed, aiming at the health promotion and the prevention of general diseases which have been steadily increasing. As occupational health nursing activities are expected to be changed to accomplish such goals, the roles of nurses are also expected to be expanded. The expected role of nurses is to provide high quality professional services suitable for the scale of the workplace, the nursing activity methods and the goals of health management. In practice, however, there are not a few restraints on them to adequately perform such roles. Most of all, because of poor working conditions, their turnover is high and their term of service is short. In relation to this, the tendency to replace them with less experienced nurses may give rise to quite a few problems in maintaining reliable relationships with workplaces as well as providing professional services. Therefore, in order to produce high‐quality professional services, it is necessary to improve the working conditions of nurses so as to secure nurses who can work for a long time. What is most important is to allow occupational health nurses to perform standard services by function.
Metabolism of Terbufos in Rat Liver
Authors: Li Jin‐Tong , Sheng Shi‐Jie , Du Xian‐Lin
Published: February 2008

Metabolism of Terbufos in Rat Liver: Jin‐Tong Li, et al. Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China, 100850—Biotransformation of terbufos in rat liver revealed four metabolites in the effluent prepared with a C18 cartridge after the rat liver was perfused for one hour in situ. Analysing the spectrogram of GC‐IR and GC‐MS, metabolite IV appeared to be an oxidative desulfuration product of terbufos with the formula C9H21O3PS2, the recovery of which in the effluent was 2.13%; metabolite I appeared to be an hydrolysate of metabolite IV with the formula C5H13O3PS, the recovery of which was 0.13%; metabolite II appeared to be an hydrolysate of terbufos with the formula C5H13O2PS2, the recovery of which was 2.65%; metabolite III appeared to be a methylate of metabolite II, with the formula C6H15O2PS2, the recovery of which was 1.42%. Relatively the recovery of terbufos was 40.8%. These results were in accord with the regular metabolic pattern in vivo of phosphorothioates with a thioether group.