The effect of occupational burnout on cognitive failure and general health in industrial workers (case study: Iran Tire Factory).

BACKGROUND: Human resources are the most important organizational resources and play the most important role in the production and productivity cycle. Considering the importance of people's health and the study of their burnout as a possible cause of occupational cognitive failures, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between burnout, cognitive failure, and general health. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: A cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted in Iran Tire Factory. The statistical population of this study was 302 personnel who were randomly selected. Data were collected by four valid questionnaires (demographic information, Maslach burnout, cognitive failure, and general health questionnaire). Then data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The results of the analysis revealed a significant and direct relationship between burnout and cognitive failure (p < .001), and a significant inverse relationship was found between cognitive failure and physical health (p = .022). The other results showed that emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions are significantly associated with cognitive failure (p < .001, p = .016). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, burnout causes cognitive failures among factory personnel and on the other hand, cognitive failures affect the physical health of individuals and lead to deterioration of physical health, which in turn can reduce a person's performance and reduce work efficiency.

Concurrent Lead and Noise Exposure Effects on Testicular Tissue of Rat: An Experimental Study.

Objective: Environmental stressors such as physical and chemical factors can have a destructive testicular function. The present study aimed to determine the effect of concomitant exposure to lead and noise on testicular tissue in male rats. Materials and methods : Twenty male Wistar rats (250-300 g, 12-13wk) were divided into four groups (n=5/each): 1) Control group, 2) Lead group treated with 4 mg/kg lead acetate by gavage for 30 days, 3) Noise group exposed to 4 kHz octave band at 105 dBA for eight hrs./ day for 30 days, and 4) the exposed group to lead plus noise concurrently. The testes' weight was measured, and testes abnormalities were assessed after staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: The results showed that the weight of testes in experimental groups was significantly decreased compared with the control group (p<0.0001). Also indicated edema, degeneration and necrotic cell debris in the lumen, congestion and atrophy of seminiferous tubule in rat testes tissue due to sub-acute exposure to lead and noise. Conclusion: Exposure to 105 dB and lead can cause damage to the seminiferous tubules, intubation edema, and testicular weight loss compared to control. We also found that simultaneous exposure to noise and lead could have more detrimental effects on testicular histology and weight than others.

The effects of radiofrequency radiation on mice fetus weight, length and tissues.

The public concern of harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation exposure, especially with rapid increase in the use of wireless and telecommunication devices, is increasing. Some studies show fetal and developmental abnormalities as the result of radiofrequency radiation exposure. We aimed to investigate possible teratogenic effects of radiofrequency in 915 MHz on mice fetus and protective role of vitamin C. 21 pregnant mice were divided into 3 groups. Control group was in normal condition without any stressor agent. Exposure group was exposed to 915 MHz RFR (8 h/day for 10 days) and 0.045 µw/cm2 power density. The exposure plus vitamin C group received 200 mg/kg vitamin C by gavage and was exposed to 915 MHz RFR (8 h/day for 10 days) and 0.045 µw/cm2 power density. The fetus weight, C-R length were measured by digital balance and caliper. Tissues were assessed after staining with H & E. Our results showed significant increase in fetus weight and C-R length and also enlarged liver, tail deformation in mice fetus in exposure group. Although usage of vitamin C caused significant decrease in mentioned parameters. The outcome of this study confirms the effects of radiofrequency radiation on growth parameters such as body weight, length and some tissues in mice fetuses and protective effect of vitamin C. However more studies on non-ionization radiation in different frequencies and severity, during pregnancy are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms of these changes and better protection.

Data on the effect of lead concomitant noise on oxidative stress in rats.

Exposure to chemical and physical factors occur in many occupations. Exposure to ambient pollutants such as noise, heavy metals, drugs enhance free radicals and can cause oxidative stress. The aim of the present project was to investigate noise and lead as two workplace stressors in rats. 20 male rats were assigned into 4 groups randomly. Rats in control group was not exposed to any stressor agent, while the first group was exposed to noise (105 dB, 4 kHz), the second group was exposed to lead acetate (gavage,4 mg/kg), and the last group was exposed to both lead and noise. In order to assess oxidative stress, the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as a product of lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid and also total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by using ELISA kits. Our research showed significant enhancement in levels of malondialdehyde in exposed groups compare to control group. Also our results showed considerable decrease in levels of TAC in exposed groups compared to control group. Lead and noise exposure for 30 days caused a statistically significant enhancement in MDA level and significant decrease in the serum TAC level. On the other hand, statistically no significant difference was observed between the MDA and TAC levels between exposed groups. Moreover, body weight between exposed groups have decreased compared to control group. The outcomes of this study confirms the effect of noise and lead on lipid peroxidation. However, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of oxidative stress through lead and noise exposure.