Genotoxic and oxidative stress effects due to occupational exposure to anesthetic gases among operating room personnel

Occupational exposure to volatile anesthetic agents may result in various adverse health effects. Anesthetic agents eliminated rapidly from the body due to low solubility in blood and tissues. Genetic material has been shown to be a sensitive target of numerous harmful agents including anesthetic gases. Investigate the genotoxic effect of exposure to volatile anesthetics on leukocytes of exposed operating room personnel [anesthetists, surgeons and nurses], determine the effect of exposure to volatile anesthetics on oxidative stress [super oxide dismutase [SOD]] and determine work-related subjective symptoms. This study was conducted at Menoufiya University Hospitals. Sixty two operating room personnel [ORP] occupationally exposed to anesthetic gases were selected as a study group. An equal number of non-exposed matched controls were also chosen. A pre-designed self-administered questionnaire regarding subjective symptoms related to exposure together with heparenized blood sample for determination of DNA fragmentation and quantitative determination of super oxide dismutase [SOD]. ORP showed significant higher mean value of optical density of DNA fragments of leucocytes and significant lower mean value of SOD than controls. Statistically significantly higher frequency of work-relate symptoms included dizziness, headache, irritability, decreased concentration, anxiety and easy fatigability were reported among ORP compared to controls. With increasing years of exposure to anesthetic gases, the DNA fragmentation significantly increased; where SOD [ng/ml] levels significantly decreased. Longer exposure to anesthetic gases among ORP was associated with increased DNA fragmentation as well as decreased oxidative stress [SOD [ng/ml]]. Effective well-designed scavenging pressure/exhaust ventilation systems, further environmental and genetic studies are required to assess the effects of chronic exposure to volatile anesthetic agent. Finally, antioxidant supplements are recommended

Study of urinary iodine as an indicator of iodine deficiency and associated clinical signs and symptoms in a sample of basic school children in Menouf district Menufiya governorate

Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem, particularly for pregnant women and young children, and is the commonest cause of preventable mental retardation as well as endemic goitre. especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to measure the urinary iodine concentration among a sample of basic school children to detect the magnitude of the problem of iodine deficiency, detect the prevalence of goitre among the studied sample and study of relevant symptoms and signs in those diagnosed to have iodine deficiency. The study was carried out on 421 students selected from Menofiya governmental basic school children with age range 6-14 years. All the students were subjected to full history taking, general medical examination, local examination of the neck and laboratory investigations including determination of urinary iodine and measuring of total T3 and T4 thyroid hormones for [40 students] with iodine deficiency. and [10] students who had normal urinary iodine concentration. The study showed that the majority [51.1%] of the studied group had mild iodine deficiency. [18.5%] had moderate deficiency, [7.8%] had severe deficiency, and only [22.6%] had normal urinary iodine concentration using WHO recommended cut off values. A significant difference between the two goitre grades [grade 0 and grade 1] regarding the mean value of urinary iodine concentration level [P <0.001]. a significant difference between different patterns of iodine deficiency as regard the mean value of T4 thyroid hormone [P<0.05]. but not with T3 [P>0.05]. Children not suffering from iodine deficiency showed normal values of T4 but lower values were found in those suffering from iodine deficiency. Easy fatigability. pallor and constipation were more prevalent among those students with severe iodine deficiency compared to those suffering from mild and moderate deficiency and those having normal urinary iodine [P<0.05]. It could be concluded that urinary iodine concentration was decreased in all goitrous children, so we recommend routine urinary examination for iodine concentration for school children at school entry to detect those with moderate and severe iodine deficiency to be subjected with their families to health education program about the health hazards of iodine deficiency and the importance of the usage of iodine