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OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of occupational stress from occupational hazards in employees of a power grid enterprise. METHODS: A total of 972 employees from 3 substations and 1 power dispatch center of a power grid enterprise were selected as research subjects by the cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire was used to evaluate the occupational stress using the job demand control(JDC) model. The influence of occupational hazards on occupational stress was analyzed. RESULTS: The median, the 25 th and 75 th percentile scores [M(P_(25), P_(75))] of the 972 research subjects on job demand, job control, and social support dimensions of JDC model occupational stress were 14(12, 15), 25(23, 26), 24(23, 24), respectively. The M(P_(25), P_(75)) of the demand/control(D/C) ratio was 0.99(0.89, 1.13). The incidence of occupational stress was 48.4%(470/972) by the JDC model. The job demand dimension scores, D/C ratios, and incidence of occupational stress by JDC model were higher in employees exposed to electromagnetic radiation, high temperature, high altitude, and visual display terminal(VDT) than in those employees not exposed to the above factors(all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of occupational stress increased in those employees exposed to high temperature, high altitude and VDT(all P<0.05) after excluding the influence of confounding factors such as age, length of service, monthly income and exercise. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.91(1.43-2.54) and 1.67(1.26-2.21), respectively. CONCLUSION: The level of occupational stress among employees in power grid enterprise is relatively high by JDC model. High-temperature, high-altitude and VDT operation are the main risk factors of occupational stress by JDC model.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of depressive symptom of employees in a mould-producing enterprises using two occupational stress models. METHODS: A total of 457 employees in a mould-producing enterprise were selected as study subjects using cluster sampling method. The Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression Scale, the Chinese version of Job Demand Content Questionnaire and the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire were used to investigate the level of depressive symptom and occupational stress by the job demand control(JDC) model and effort reward imbalance(ERI) model. RESULTS: Among the 457 employees, the median score of depressive symptom was 11.00, the detection rate of depressive symptom in the subjects was 23.4%(107/457). The incidence of occupational stress by the JDC and ERI models was 78.3%(358/457) and 62.6%(286/457), respectively. The rate of depressive symptom was statistically higher in the high occupational stress group than that of the low occupational stress group by the ERI model(26.6% vs 18.1%, P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both marital status and monthly income were influencing factors of depressive symptom by the JDC model(P<0.05). The marital status, monthly income and occupational stress were influencing factors of depressive symptom by the ERI model(P<0.05). The risk of depressive symptom was statistically higher in the high occupational stress group than that of the low occupational stress group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Employees in mould-producing enterprise have some depressive symptom. The marital status, monthly income and occupational stress by the ERI model are the main influencing factors of depressive symptom.
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OBJECTIVE: To discuss the applicability of 3 risk assessment methods to evaluate the occupational health risk of benzene and its analogues in the workplace of an aircraft maintenance enterprise. METHODS: The workshops of compound material,structural and electromechanical involved in exposure of benzene and its analogues in an aircraft maintenance enterprise were chosen as study subjects. The optimal indicator system of risk assessment on occupational chemical hazards( hereinafter referred to as“optimal indicator system”),the Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model and risk index method were used to classify the benzene hazards of 5 operating posts in 3 workshops. The risk stratification results of the 3 assessment methods were compared. RESULTS: The results of optimal indicator system for benzene risk rating was mild risk in all workplaces. The risk classifications for toluene and xylene were light risk. The risk classifications of Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model for benzene,toluene and xylene were all low risk in all workplaces. The risk classifications of risk index method for benzene were all moderate risk in all workplaces. The risk classifications for toluene were harmless in all workplaces. The risk classifications for xylene were mild risk in all workplaces. CONCLUSION: There are differences among the evaluation results of the 3 risk assessment methods. The optimal indicator system could be more suitable for occupational health assessment of benzene and its analogues in aircraft maintenance industries.
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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of long term exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields( PFEMF) on apoptotic rates of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in workers of transformer substation. METHODS: A random number table method was used to select 73 workers with long-term exposure to PFEMF as exposure group and 70 non-exposure workers( administrative and logistics staffs) were selected as control group from 10 transformer substations in a province.The peripheral venous blood of workers in these two groups was collected,and the apoptosis of T and B lymphocytes were detected and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The apoptosis rates of T and B lymphocyte between the exposure and non-exposure groups showed no statistical difference( median: 1. 555% vs 0. 790%,0. 020% vs 0. 030%,P > 0. 05).The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that both the PFEMF exposure and length of service had no significant effects on the apoptosis rates of T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte after adjusting confounding factors such as gender,age,alcohol drinking,smoking,medication history,medical radiation exposure and stressful events( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to PFEMF has no effects on apoptosis of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in workers of transformer substation.
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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) between the combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points and the hormone replacement therapy.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 PMS patients were divided into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (34 cases) according to patient's willingness. In the observation group, the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) was combined with the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points. The stimulation intensity at Shuitu (ST 10) was ranged from 15 to 20 mA, for 20 min in each treatment, twice a week. The 8 treatments made one course and 3 courses were required. Additionally, the seed-pressure therapy was used at neifenmi (CO), Shenmen (TF), luanchao, zigong, gan (CO), shen (CO), once a week, retained for 5 days. The 4-week treatment was as one course and a total of 3 courses were required. In the control group, the hormone replacement therapy was applied. On Day 5 of menstruation, progynova was prescribed for oral administration, 1 mg, once a day, continuously for 21 days. On Day 12 in the oral administration of progynova, dydrogesterone was used, 20 mg, once every day, continuously for 10 days. Totally, 3 courses were required. Separately, before treatment and in 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann score, the sexual hormone levels [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E)] and the adverse reactions were observed in the patients of the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann scores were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all 0.05). In the control group, the incidences of the adverse reactions such as vaginal bleeding, bread distending pain and endometrial thickening were higher than those in the observation group [17.6% (6/34) vs 0% (0/30), 20.6% (7/34) vs 3.3% (1/30), 8.8% (3/34) vs 0% (0/30), all <0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points achieves the similar therapeutic effects on PMS as compared with the hormone replacement therapy. This combined therapy effectively relieves the clinical symptoms and improves the sexual hormone levels. The adverse reactions and the complications are less obviously as compared with the hormone replacement therapy.
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Female , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture, Ear , Follicle Stimulating Hormone , Luteinizing Hormone , PerimenopauseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To screen genetic polymorphisms in the 5'-flank region of 8-hydroxyguanine DNA glycosylase( hOGG1) gene and analyze the characteristics of their genetic distribution in Han population of radon exposure area in Guangdong Province. METHODS: A simple random sampling method was used to select 60 subjects as radon exposure population. The genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood. The single nucleotide at-1721 nt-+ 164 nt locus of hOGG1 were screened using polymerase chain reaction( PCR) amplification,purification and direct sequencing for polymorphisms. Genetic characteristics of single nucleotide polymorphisms( SNP) in the study population were analyzed and compared with different populations reported in Hap Map data. RESULTS: The 5'-flank region of hOGG1 were amplified and sequenced in these 60 individuals( 120 chromosomes) of healthy Han Chinese in radon exposure area. Eight SNPs were identified by sequence alignment in the study population. Among them,there was 3 known polymorphisms and their minor allele frequencies( MAF) were-1493 G > A( 4. 2%),-834 G > C( 0. 8%) and-18 G > T( 3. 3%),respectively. The MAF of other 5 novel variations were-1455 G > A( 0. 8%),-1293 A > T( 23. 3%),-1187 C > A( 7. 5%),-337 C > A( 36. 7%) and-323 G > A( 0. 8%),respectively. The differences in the MAF distribution of-1493 G > A between the study population and the Hap Map-CEU were statistically significant( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Eight SNPs and their genetic characteristics were screened and identified in the 5'-flank region of hOGG1 of Han Chinese population in radon exposure area. This result provides a basis for construction of polymorphism haplotypes and functional analysis for the target population.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of the serum immune cytokines in medical radiation workers exposure to low dose ionizing radiation. METHODS: Totally 244 medical professionals working with radiation(61 diagnosis radiology,51 nuclear medicine,74 radio therapeutics and 58 interventional radiology) from 7 hospitals of Guangdong Province were selected as study subjects by using the typical sampling method; 51 administration workers who did not expose to radiation were selected as control group. The radiation dose of these individuals was monitored by thermoluminescent measurement instrument for one year. Venous blood was collected and the levels of interferon γ(IFN-γ),interleukin 10(IL-10),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in serum were examined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. RESULTS: The maximum annual average dose of radiation per person of the medical radiation workers was 0. 41 mSv/a. It was smaller than the occupational exposure limit(20. 00 mSv/a). The annual average dose of radiation per person in the group of nuclear medicine was significantly higher than those of diagnosis radiology,radio therapeutics and interventional radiology(P <0. 01). Among the male staffs,the expression of IL-10 in the diagnosis radiology group,radio therapeutics group and interventional radiology group was lower than that in the control group(P < 0. 05); the expression of IL-10 in radio therapeutics group was lower than those in nuclear medicine group and interventional radiology group(P < 0. 05); the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10 in radio therapeutics group was higher than those in diagnosis radiology group,nuclear medicine group,interventional radiology group and control group(P < 0. 05). These individuals were divided into 3 different dose group(0. 03-,0. 06-and > 0. 15 m Sv/a) based on their average radiation dose. The expression of IL-10 in male staffs of these3 dose groups was lower than that of the male control group(P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Long-term low dose ionizing radiation may restrain the expression level of IL-10 in the male staffs.
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OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the risk rating for chemical hazards of aromatics complex in a petrochemical enterprise using two risk assessment methods. METHODS: Occupational hygiene investigation and chemical detection for workplaces of the construction project were made. The risk ratings were made in five workplaces including that of the aromatics extraction,disproportionation,isomerization,xylene fractionation and adsorptive fractionation. Two risk assessment methods were employed. They were the optimal indicator system of risk assessment on occupational chemical hazards( optimal indicator system) and the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore. The results of risk rating generated by the two risk assessment methods were then compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Using the optimal indicator system,the risk rating of benzene was mild in the five workplaces; and the risk rating of methylbenzene and xylene was slight. However,using the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore,the risk rating of benzene was extremely high in both the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces; the risk rating was high in xylene fractionation,and was medium in the isomerization and adsorptive fractionation workplaces. The risk rating of methylbenzene was high in the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces,and was low in the other three workplaces. The risk rating of xylene was low in the five workplaces. CONCLUSION: The optimal indicator system is more feasible,practical and objective for the assessment of chemical hazards. It is more suitable for risk assessment of occupational chemical hazards in our country.
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Objective@#To apply and compare two risk assessment methods for occupational lead exposure risk classification in a lead-acid battery enterprise.@*Methods@#In April 2013, an occupational health survey was carried out in a lead-acid battery enterprise. Lead smoke and lead dust were tested in the workplace. The risk assessment index system for occupational chemical hazards that was established and optimized by the research group (referred to as "optimized index system" ) , as well as the Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model, was used for occupational lead exposure risk classification in the lead-acid battery enterprise. The two risk classification results were analyzed and compared.@*Results@#In the lead smoke risk classification results, the optimized index system classified the raw material group and foundry group workshops as Class I hazardous and the assembling group workshop as Class II hazardous. The Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model classified the raw material group workshop as high risk and foundry group and assembling group workshops as extremely high risk. In the lead dust risk classification results, the optimized index system classified the raw material group workshop as Class I hazardous, while the plate painting group, plate cutting group, and assembling group workshops were classified as Class II hazardous. The Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model classified the raw material group workshop as medium risk, the plate painting group and plate cutting group workshops as high risk, and the assembling group workshop as extremely high risk.@*Conclusion@#There are some differences in risk assessment of occupational lead exposure between the two risk assessment methods. The optimized index system is comparably more reasonable and feasible, and is highly operable.
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Objective To study the relevance of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) IL- 18 level in patients with chronic HBV infection and the activity of chronic hepatitis B as well as the ex- tent of hepatic tissue inflammation. Methods Flow cytometry was applied to measuring IL-18 level in PBMCs isolated from 147 patients with HBV infection; meanwhile, 22 cases with hepatitis B patients or HBV carriers underwent needling biopsy of liver for liver histopathologic examination. Results IL- 18 level was rising step by step in moderate chronic hepatitis, severe chronic hepatitis, chronic serious hepatitis and acute fatal hepatitis. Elevation of IL-18 level was correlative to the activity of hepatic tis- sue inflammation. Conclusion The expression level of IL-18 is different in various HBV infection states, which is correlative to the activity of chronic hepatitis B as well as the extent of hepatic tissue inflammation. Therefore, IL-18 may be used as an important index of evaluating therapeutic effect and prognosis.