Auditory dysfunction among printing workers

The aim of this study is to explore the combined effect of occupational exposure to noise and lead on the hearing process of the exposed workers. Twenty-four exposed workers [48 ears] from two printing facilities at Cairo University and twenty controls [40 ears], not occupationally exposed to noise or lead, were included in this study. All studied personnel were subjected to medical and occupational history, clinical and ENT examination, blood lead level determination and audiological assessment including: pure tone hearing thresholds, otoacoustic emissions [OAE] and auditory brain-stem response [ABR]. The work environments were tested for noise levels which were found to be 88 and 92 dB A, respectively. Statistically significant differences were detected between the exposed group and the controls as regards the hearing thresholds at frequencies 4 and 8 KHz and the OAE, The ABR revealed significant prolongation of the absolute latencies of waves 1 and 3 with increased [1 -3] interpeak latency in the exposed group. The 5/ 1 amplitude ratio was also smaller in the exposed compared to the controls. The blood lead level was significantly higher in the exposed in comparison to the controls [p < 0.001]

Early endothelial dysfunction in insulin dependent diabetics

This study included 60 insulin-dependent diabetic patients. They were classified into 3 groups [each 20 patients]. The first group included patients without microangiopathy, the second included patients with early microangiopathy and the third included patients with late microangiopathy. 20 healthy subjects were chosen as controls. The results indicated that vWF was significantly increased in diabetics without evidence of microangiopathy [normal urinary albumin excretion, no retinopathy and neuropathy] compared to control and in patients with microangiopathy compared to those without. Also, a positive correlation between vWF and systolic blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion was found, but no correlation as regards age, sex and blood sugar at time of blood sampling was found