Chromosomal damage in occupationally exposed health professionals assessed by two cytogenetic methods.

The study assessed occupationally induced chromosomal damage in hospital personnel at risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs and/or low doses of ionizing radiation by two cytogenetic methods. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of eighty-five hospital workers were examined twice over 2 to 3 years by classical chromosomal aberration analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The comparison of the 1st and the 2nd sampling of hospital workers showed a significant increase in chromatid and chromosomal aberrations (all p < .05) examined by classical chromosomal aberration analysis, and in unstable aberrations (all p < .05) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Both cytogenetic methods were able to detect an increase of unstable aberrations in the 2nd sampling. The raised frequency of unstable cytogenetic parameters suggested higher recent exposure to genotoxic agents.

Work Ability among Upper-Secondary School Teachers: Examining the Role of Burnout, Sense of Coherence, and Work-Related and Lifestyle Factors.

Maintaining and promoting teachers' work ability is essential for increasing productivity and preventing early exit from the teaching profession. This study aimed to identify the predictors of work ability among upper-secondary school teachers and examine the mediating role of burnout. A large and diverse group of Czech upper-secondary school teachers was surveyed to address this goal. The sample comprised 531 upper-secondary school teachers (50.0 ± 9.94 years, 19.9 ± 10.62 in the teaching profession, 57.6% females). Relatively greater empirical support was found for the effects of burnout, sense of coherence, work-life balance, and perceived relationships in the school environment on work ability than for the impact of age, homeroom teacher duties, workload, and caring for elderly relatives. Furthermore, burnout served as an important mediator of the relationship between sense of coherence and work ability. Teachers with a higher sense of coherence are thus better able to cope with adverse work circumstances and identify and mobilize internal and external resources to prevent professional exhaustion and the subsequent decline in work ability. The study can guide interventions on the work ability of teachers.

Methods of Classical and Molecular Cytogenetics Suitable for Biodosimetry of Persons with Professional Exposure to Carcinogens.

BACKGROUND: People in the health professions and other occupations are frequently exposed to carcinogens, including chemicals, cytostatic agents, and ionizing radiation with carcinogenic potential. These individuals require monitoring of their exposure, as well as biomonitoring for cytogenetic alterations. Classical and molecular cytogenetic methods can establish functional remedial measures, while preventing the emergence of malignant tumors as an occupational disease. PURPOSE: This article presents the main principles, advantages, and limitations of classical cytogenetic and modern molecular cytogenetic methods. These include conventional cytogenetic analysis of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of individuals exposed to chemical carcinogens and examination of sister chromatids and micronuclei after exposure to ionizing radiation. More recent methods include radioactive and fluorescence in situ hybridization, colour variants of the latter, comparative gene hybridization, spectral karyotyping, and the latest microchip methods. CONCLUSION: Molecular cytogenetic methods make possible the refinement of methods used in the biomonitoring of chemicals and radiation. Their benefits include higher speed, automation of some processes, high sensitivity, focus on stable genetic changes capable of triggering the carcinogenesis process, and the possibility of determining deviations in non-dividing cells. Their disadvantages to date include lack of analysis of large numbers of individuals undergoing preventive examinations, undetermined norms or limit values for exposed individuals and work teams, and higher costs of examination. This work was supported from the program project of the Agency for Health Research of the Czech Republic with registration number P09-15-33968A with the fi nancial support of the Ministry of Health. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 15. 10. 2018 Accepted: 4. 7. 2019.

[Ventilatory function in patients with silicosis or coal workers' pneumoconiosis]. / Výskyt ventilacní poruchy plic u osob se silikózou a pneumokoniózou uhlokopa.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine ventilatory function in a group of patients with silicosis and coal workers pneumoconisos (CWP) newly granted as occupational disease. METHODS: The authors have undertaken the analysis of all cases of occupational silicosis and CWP which were diagnosed in men in the South Moravia region. Information on ventilatory function, chest symptoms, age, working and smoking history was collected during the medical surveys, including spirometry testing and chest radiography. Diagnosis was based on history of occupational exposure to coal or silica dust, chest x-ray findings, using International Labour Office classification. RESULTS: In the years 1997-2014, 116 occupational silicosis and coal workers´ pneumoconiosis have been notified. There were diagnosed 42 cases of simple and 17 cases of complicated silicosis, 40 cases of the simple and 17 cases of complicated CWP. Duration of exposure to respiratory hazards, smoking history and prevalence of ventilatory impairment were not significantly different between these groups. The mean age of persons at diagnosing occupational disease was 61.0 (SD 11.2) years, the mean duration of exposure to respirable dust was 24.7 (SD 10.2) years. Abnormal spirometry results were detected in 51.7% of pneumoconiotics--8.6% with restrictive, 11.2% with obstructive, and 31.9 with mixed impairment. The prevalence of ventilatory function impairment was found to be significantly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and age. CONCLUSIONS: Testing of ventilatory function has an important role in the evaluation of lung disease in employees exposed to various respirable hazards. Although such testing was not useful for diagnosing silicosis or CWP, it was important for evaluating compensation amount for occupational disease in 51.7% pneumoconiotic patiens.