ABSTRACT
Occupational silicosis features as irreversible pulmonary fibrosis, which is caused by long-term inhalation of free silica dust. The pathogenesis of silicosis is complex and there is no cure at present. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies silicosis fibrosis into the category of diseases as "pulmonary paralysis" and "pulmonary arthralgia", and its treatment is based on promoting blood circulation and activating qi. Traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation is one of the commonly used medications, which has the effects of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and immunomodulation, and has broad application prospect in the prevention and treatment of silicosis. At present, animal experiments and clinical studies have been carried out using the single Chinese herbs extracts that could activate blood circulation such as Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Panax notoginseng, Curcuma longa L., peach kernel and Carthamus tinctorius L. as well as their compound herbs for the prevention and treatment of silicosis. The mechanisms of anti-pulmonary fibrosis and the efficacy and safety of treating silicosis and its complications were explored. There are also scholars studying Salvia miltiorrhiza, Curcuma longa L. and Danhong injection, Taohong Siwu Decoction and others for prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, network pharmacological research, analyzing potential targets and pathways, were carried out to provide scientific rationale for prevention and treatment of silicosis. However, the effectiveness of research is still uncertain, and it cannot meet the clinical needs. In the future, it is necessary to explore the application of more high-quality active components of traditional Chinese medicine monomer or mixture of activating blood circulation in the prevention and treatment of silicosis, to provide new ideas and scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of silicosis using traditional Chinese medicine.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the cognition on hearing protection and mental health status of noise-exposed workers. METHODS: A total of 499 noise-exposed workers from 3 enterprises of coal mine, steel and textile in Xinjiang region were selected as study subjects by stratified cluster random sampling method. The cognitive status of hearing protection and mental health status of each group were investigated by the Workplace Health Promotion Pilot Project Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 235 workers had abnormal mental health status.The abnormal rate of mental health status was 47.1%(235/499). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that female, age ≤40.0 years, unable to bear current noise hazards, worried about noise-induced-deafness and noise-induced discomfort were the risk factors of abnormality of mental health status(odds ratio values were 1.62, 1.87, 2.42, 2.20, 2.14, P<0.05). Using hearing protectors for ≥3.0 years was the protective factor of abnormality of mental health status(odds ratio value was 0.47, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The subjective cognition on hearing protection has an impact on the mental health of noise-exposed workers.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To compare the knowledge and behavior toward hearing protection among workers in different workplaces and investigate its influence factors.@*Methods@#2 manufacturing companies with obvious noise hazard in workplace were selected into the study. Health management level was distinguished through field investigation and verification. Questionnaire focus on basic knowledge of hearing health, acceptance level of noise hazard, comfort of wearing hearing protectors and atmosphere in workplace was designed and was used to investigate the knowledge and behavior toward hearing protection.@*Results@#Hearing protectors that meet the level of protection are distributed throughout the workplaces. Although company A has a lower noise hazards level, the health management system was poorly executed. The proportion of workers persisting in wearing hearing protectors throughout the work shift in company A was lower than B (P<0.01) . Workers in company A intended to underestimate the noise level (P<0.01) and the health effect of hearing loss (P<0.01) . All the workers were worry about suffering from hearing loss (P>0.05) , but those in company B had more positive attitude toward the protection of hearing protector (P<0.01) and relied on the protector (P<0.01) . The awareness of protection, in turn, help workers adapt attitude and get used to wearing hearing protectors consciously in workplace (P<0.01) .@*Conclusion@#Health management performance play a key role in help workers form good knowledge and behavior. To protect workplace health, employers need to creative a healthy supportive environment for workers.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of shift work on hypertension in petrochemical production workers. METHODS: Totally 2573 workers were recruited from a petrochemical company by convenience sampling method. We collected the basic information of participants via questionnaire and made occupational physical examination in these subjects to evaluate the relationship shift work with hypertension. RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of hypertension in the present study was 15. 1%,and the shift workers were with significant higher prevalence compared with the non-shift workers( 15. 9% vs 10. 7%,P < 0. 05). The systolic blood pressure levels were significant higher in shift work group than that in non-shift work group [( 119. 8 ± 14. 9) vs( 116. 6 ± 13. 7) mmHg,P < 0. 01]. After adjusted for age,gender,education,body mass index,family history of hypertension,and other confounding factors,multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of hypertension in shift work group was 1. 49 times( 95% confidence interval was 1. 05-2. 12)than that of non-shift work group( P < 0. 05). By using stratified analysis by the duration of shift work in the shift workers,the risk of hypertension in the duration of 10-year and 20-year groups were higher than that of the duration less than 10-year group( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Shift work exposure increases the prevalence of hypertension by affecting systolic blood pressure,and this risk can be enhanced with increasing duration of shift work.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and essential hypertension complicated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods ACE gene I/D polymorphism in 150 healthy subjects, 80 essential hypertensive(ET)patients with LVH and 152 ET patients without LVH was detected by PCR. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was measured by echocardiography, and then left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated. Results The frequencies of the ACE D allele in the ET patients with or without LVH were 0.493 and 0.514, respectively, and significantly higher than those in the healthy subjects (P