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This paper discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on occupational health and safety. Although the integration of AI into the field of occupational health and safety is still in its early stages, it has numerous applications in the workplace. Some of these applications offer numerous benefits for the health and safety of workers, such as continuous monitoring of workers' health and safety and the workplace environment through wearable devices and sensors. However, AI might have negative impacts in the workplace, such as ethical worries and data privacy concerns. To maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks of AI in the workplace, certain measures should be applied, such as training for both employers and employees and setting policies and guidelines regulating the integration of AI in the workplace.
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Inteligencia Artificial , Salud Laboral , Humanos , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Dairy farmworkers are exposed to a variety of respiratory hazards, including organic and inorganic dust, allergens, disinfectants, and gases emitted by cows and their wastes resulting in a range of adverse health effects. In Egypt, large herd dairy farms (>1000 cattle) are growing in both size and number and thereby more workers are employed. However, there is a lack of studies on the respiratory health status of these workers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory problems, assess ventilatory functions, and highlight the predictors of abnormal spirometry patterns among Egyptian dairy farmworkers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 282 male workers, of whom 141 were dairy farmworkers and the other 141, not involved in livestock handling, were enrolled as controls. Full history, clinical examination, and ventilatory function measurements were done for both groups. RESULTS: Dairy farmworkers had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (throat irritation and/or sore throat, cough, sputum production, and difficulty breathing) than controls as well as bronchitis, wheezes on chest auscultation, and obstructive ventilatory patterns. Older age (>37 years), longer smoking duration (>10 years), and longer working duration (>4 years) were independent predictors of abnormal spirometry patterns, particularly obstructive patterns, in dairy farmworkers. CONCLUSIONS: Large herd dairy farms, despite being open and naturally ventilated, are hazardous to workers' respiratory health. Hence, the provision of personal protective equipment, periodic spirometry examinations as well as mandatory breaks and days off, are highly urged.
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Agricultores , Fumar , Femenino , Masculino , Animales , Bovinos , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Fumar/efectos adversos , Espirometría , Polvo , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
Plant growth, development, and productivity are adversely affected under drought conditions. Previous findings indicated that 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) play an important role in the plant response to adverse environmental conditions. This study demonstrated the role of ALA and EBL on oxidative stress and photosynthetic capacity of drought-stressed 'Williams' banana grown under the Egyptian semi-arid conditions. Exogenous application of either ALA or EBL at concentrations of 15, 30, and 45 mg·L-1 significantly restored plant photosynthetic activity and increased productivity under reduced irrigation; this was equivalent to 75% of the plant's total water requirements. Both compounds significantly reduced drought-induced oxidative damages by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase 'SOD', catalase 'CAT', and peroxidase 'POD') and preserving chloroplast structure. Lipid peroxidation, electrolyte loss and free non-radical H2O2 formation in the chloroplast were noticeably reduced compared to the control, but chlorophyll content and photosynthetic oxygen evolution were increased. Nutrient uptake, auxin and cytokinin levels were also improved with the reduced abscisic acid levels. The results indicated that ALA and EBL could reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and maintain the stability of the chloroplast membrane structure under drought stress. This study suggests that the use of ALA or EBL at 30 mg·L-1 can promote the growth, productivity and fruit quality of drought-stressed banana plants.
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OBJECTIVES: Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been reported in different occupations, including laboratory technicians, so this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the associated personal and ergonomic factors for CTS among laboratory technicians. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 279 laboratory technicians at King Fahd Hospital, Saudi Arabia, who filled in a self-administered questionnaire, including questions regarding their demographic criteria, occupational history, job tasks, workplace tools, ergonomic factors at work, and symptoms suggestive of CTS. Physical examinations and electrodiagnostic studies were carried out for those who had symptoms suggestive of CTS to confirm the diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for both personal and physical factors in association with confirmed CTS among laboratory technicians. RESULTS: The prevalence of CTS among the laboratory technicians was 9.7% (27/279). The following were the statistically significant risk factors for CTS among them: gender (all cases of CTS were female, P=0.00), arm/hand exertion (OR: 7.96; 95% CI: 1.84-34.33), pipetting (OR: 7.27; 95% CI: 3.15-16.78), repetitive tasks (OR: 4.60; 95% CI: 1.39-15.70), using unadjustable chairs or desks (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.23-9.15), and working with a biosafety cabinet (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.11-5.59). CTS cases had significant longer work duration (17.9 ± 5.6 years) than CTS non-case (11.5 ± 7.4 yeas) with low OR (1.108). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates some personal and ergonomic factors associated with CTS among the laboratory technicians, including female gender, arm/hand exertion, pipetting, repetitive tasks, working with a biosafety cabinet, and an unadjusted workstation.
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Síndrome del Túnel Carpiano/epidemiología , Síndrome del Túnel Carpiano/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Adulto , Síndrome del Túnel Carpiano/diagnóstico , Estudios Transversales , Ergonomía , Femenino , Humanos , Personal de Laboratorio , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Conducción Nerviosa , Factores de Riesgo , Arabia Saudita/epidemiología , Distribución por Sexo , Fumar/epidemiología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Improvement of drought stress of mango plants requires intensive research that focuses on physiological processes. In three successive seasons (2014, 2015and 2016) field experiments with four different strains of mango were subjected to two water regimes. The growth and physiological parameters of possible relevance for drought stress tolerances in mango were investigated. Yield and its components were also evaluated. The data showed that all growth and physiological parameters were increased under K2SiO3 (Si) supplement and were followed by the interaction treatment (Si treatment and its combination with drought stress) compared to that of the controlled condition. Drought stress decreased the concentration of auxins (IAA), gibberellins (GA) and cytokinins (CK) in the three mango cultivars leaves, whereas, it increased the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA). On the contrary, IAA, GA, and CK (promoters) endogenous levels were improved by supplementing Si, in contrary ABA was decreased. Drought stress increased the activity of peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the leaves of all mango cultivars grown during three experimental seasons. However, Si supplementation reduced the levels of all these antioxidative enzymes, especially the concentration of SOD when compared to that of control leaves. Fruit quality was improved in three successive seasons when Si was applied. Our results clearly show that the increment in drought tolerance was associated with an increase in antioxidative enzyme activity, allowing mango plants to cope better with drought stress. Si possesses an efficient system for scavenging reactive oxygen species, which protects the plant against destructive oxidative reactions, thereby improving the ability of the mango trees to withstand environmental stress in arid regions.
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Deshidratación/metabolismo , Mangifera/metabolismo , Silicatos/farmacología , Estrés Fisiológico/efectos de los fármacos , Deshidratación/patología , Oxidorreductasas/metabolismo , Reguladores del Crecimiento de las Plantas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Silicio/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Previous cross-sectional studies have shown that exposure to cleaning chemicals among health-care workers (HCWs) is associated with respiratory disorders and ventilatory function changes. This study aimed to further explore this association using a longitudinal approach. A prospective 2-year follow-up study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia from June 2012 to June 2014 among 56 nurses who were responsible for disinfection and sterilization of medical instruments and equipment. The workplaces of the participants were assessed for engineering, environmental, and safety control measures. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all participants to assess their exposure to cleaning chemicals and their medical history. Spirometric parameters were measured for all nurses in 2012 (baseline) and again in 2014 (follow-up). The prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms did not increase significantly over this time. Among all the spirometric parameters, only forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio decreased significantly, and only 10.7% of participants who were exposed to cleaning chemicals for more than 10 years had FEV1 and FVC less than their longitudinal normal limits at the end of the study. Smoking and gender were associated with statistically significant decreases in some of the spirometric parameters. Our 2-year follow-up study did not demonstrate significant association between exposure to cleaning chemicals among HCWs and changes in the prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms, but indicated early effects on ventilatory function among them. The study highlights the importance of periodic spirometry, proper work practices, and effective control measures to protect HCWs against potentially harmful workplace chemicals for disinfection and sterilization.
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Desinfectantes/toxicidad , Personal de Salud , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Respiratorias/diagnóstico , Adulto , Índice de Masa Corporal , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Enfermedades Respiratorias/etiología , Arabia Saudita , Fumar/efectos adversos , Espirometría , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G) as pre-employment screening tests for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among healthcare workers. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 1412 healthcare workers who were screened for LTBI during the period from August 2009 to May 2011 at a tertiary-care hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The studied population was screened for LTBI using both TST and QFT-G simultaneously. The agreement between both tests was quantified using the Kappa coefficient (κ). RESULTS: Comparing the results of QFT-G with TST, the tests had a significant overall agreement of 73.7% (1040/1412; κ=0.33; p<0.01). Negative concordance comprised 60.1% of the results, and positive concordance comprised 13.5%. However, positive TST but negative QFT comprised 16.3% of the results, and negative TST but positive QFT-G comprised 10.1%. Concordance was significantly associated with young age, female gender, Saudi-born nationals, and early career but not job type (clinical versus non-clinical) nor status of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated 73.7% overall agreement between TST and QFT-G results among healthcare workers during pre-employment screening for LTBI. The results need to be confirmed in future studies before recommending QFT-G as a pre-employment screening test for LTBI.
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Empleo , Personal de Salud , Ensayos de Liberación de Interferón gamma , Tuberculosis Latente/diagnóstico , Tamizaje Masivo/métodos , Prueba de Tuberculina , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Arabia Saudita , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between certain paternal occupational exposures during the periconceptional period and the risk of congenital malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out from December 2009 to April 2010; on 242 congenital malformation cases and 270 controls. Paternal occupational exposure to certain workplace hazards was assessed by a detailed questionnaire to evaluate the occupational exposure for both fathers and mothers including pesticides, solvents, welding fumes, lead, working with video display terminals (VDTs) and computer monitors. In addition, the questionnaire assessed the presence of other risk factors such as consanguinity, smoking and history of any maternal diseases during the pregnancy with the child. RESULTS: The results revealed that the odds of having a child with congenital malformation was higher (P < 0.01) if the father was occupationally exposed to pesticides (OR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.97-5.92), solvents (OR: 5.63, 95% CI: 2.77-11.42), or welding fumes (OR: 2.98, 0.99-8.54) during the periconceptional period. However, consanguinity (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.25-2.92) was a risk factor of developing congenital malformations among offspring. CONCLUSION: Control of workplace exposures and adherence to threshold limit values of those hazards should be adopted to minimize the risk of developing congenital malformations among offspring.
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Anomalías Congénitas/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Exposición Paterna/efectos adversos , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Preescolar , Terminales de Computador , Anomalías Congénitas/etiología , Egipto/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Plomo/efectos adversos , Masculino , Plaguicidas/efectos adversos , Factores de Riesgo , Solventes/efectos adversos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Soldadura , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Background. The low serum level of testosterone in the elderly subjects may contribute to coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim is to study serum levels of free testosterone in elderly men with CAD. Subjects and Methods. This study was conducted on 100 elderly males with CAD, one half of them was presented with ACS (with mean age 69.6 ± 2.44 year), and the other half was presented with stable CAD (with mean age 69.42 ± 2.14 year), in addition to 50 apparently healthy elderly males (with mean age 69.06 ± 1.64 year) as a control group. We detected the levels of serum free testosterone, cortisol, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1), high sensitive C-reactive protein(hsCRP), interleukin-6(IL-6). Results. Cases with CAD had significant lower values of free testosterone and HDL-c, but they had significant higher values of cortisol, fibrinogen, PAI-1, IL-6, hsCRP, in comparison to control group. Cases with ACS had significant higher values of cortisol, hsCRP, IL-6, fibrinogen, PAI-1, total cholesterol and BMI more than those with stable CAD. The free testosterone had significant negative correlation with fibrinogen, PAI-1, hsCRP and IL-6 in both groups of patients. Conclusion. The lower value of serum free testosterone in elderly male subjects may contribute to CAD.
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BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Patients with liver cirrhosis present an increased susceptibility to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which is considered the cause of hospital admission in about 10% of patients and is present in about 40% of those admitted for ongoing complications. We tried to assess the prevalence of the SIRS with the possible effects on the course of the disease during hospital stay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and three patients with liver cirrhosis were examined and investigated with close monitoring during hospital stay. The main clinical endpoints were death and the development of portal hypertension-related complications. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients met the criteria of SIRS (39.9%). We found significant correlations between SIRS and jaundice (p=0.005), bacterial infection (p=0.008), white blood cell count (p<0.001), low haemoglobin concentration (p=0.004), high serum creatinine levels (p<0.001), high alanine aminotransferase levels (p<0.001), serum bilirubin levels (p<0.001), international normalised ratio (p<0.001), serum albumin levels (p=0.033), high Child-Pugh score (p<0.001). During the follow-up period, 26 patients died (12.8%), 15 developed portal hypertension-related bleeding (7.3%), 30 developed hepatic encephalopathy (14.7%), and 9 developed hepatorenal syndrome type-1 (4.4%). SIRS showed significant correlations both to death (p<0.001) and to portal hypertension-related complications (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The systemic inflammatory response syndrome occurs in patients with advanced cirrhosis and is associated with a bad prognosis.
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Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/complicaciones , Hipertensión Portal/complicaciones , Cirrosis Hepática/complicaciones , Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica/complicaciones , Adulto , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Infecciones Bacterianas/complicaciones , Bilirrubina/sangre , Creatinina/sangre , Várices Esofágicas y Gástricas/complicaciones , Femenino , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Encefalopatía Hepática/complicaciones , Síndrome Hepatorrenal/complicaciones , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Relación Normalizada Internacional , Ictericia/complicaciones , Tiempo de Internación , Recuento de Leucocitos , Cirrosis Hepática/mortalidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Pronóstico , Albúmina Sérica/metabolismo , Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica/sangre , Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica/mortalidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF), especially among electronic equipment repairers may induce oxidative stress and affect sleep quality. AIMS: This study was carried out to (a) investigate the effect of exposure to ELF-EMF on the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels among electronic equipment repairers as an indicator of oxidative stress; and melatonin hormone levels; and (b) to study the prevalence of sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers exposed to ELF-EMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 electronic equipment repairers at high risk of exposure to ELF-EMF, and a matched control group at lower risk of exposure to ELF-EMF. All the participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about medical and occupational histories; and sleep sufficiency. The plasma melatonin and MDA levels of the study subjects were assessed. RESULTS: The mean level of serum melatonin in the electronic equipment repairers was lower than that of the controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum MDA mean level of the electronic equipment repairers was higher than that of the controls (P < 0.01). Sleep insufficiency was more frequent among electronic equipment repairers (18.00%) in comparison with the controls (8.70%) (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: The electronic equipment repairers, exposed to ELF-EMF, are at a risk of oxidative stress and sleep insufficiency, which could be explained by lower plasma melatonin levels and higher MDA levels. Health education about the hazards of ELF-EMF, shortening of exposure time per day, and taking antioxidant vitamins should be done to ameliorate the oxidative effect of EMF on those workers.
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OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between male infertility and certain occupational exposures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out from January 2008 to February 2009; on 255 infertile men and 267 fertile men controls. Occupational exposure to certain chemical, physical and psychological workplace hazards was assessed by self-report questionnaire. General and andrological examination was conducted for all participants, however, semen analysis was done only for the infertile men cases, because the fertile men controls refused to give semen samples. RESULTS: After adjustment of confounders, the results revealed that the following workplace exposure factors significantly increased the risk of male infertility: solvents and painting materials (OR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.50-10.03), lead (OR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.28-23.13), VDTs and computers (OR: 8.01, 95% CI: 4.03-15.87), shift work (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.12-11.57) and work-related stress (fairly present: OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.85-5.24; often present: OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.96-7.52). CONCLUSION: In spite of the limitations of this study, it supports other studies that raise the attention to minimize the exposure to the workplace hazards that may affect the fertility of male workers.
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Infertilidad Masculina/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Humanos , Masculino , Exposición Profesional/análisis , Medición de Riesgo , Semen/química , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Microalbuminuria is considered a marker of extensive endothelial dysfunction and is associated with excess of other cardiovascular risk factors. Our aim is to assess the importance of the presence of microalbuminuria in elderly diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 40 normotensive elderly type 2 diabetic patients of both genders with mean age >65 years were randomly included and were further subdivided according to the presence of persistent microalbuminuria into microalbuminuric and normoalbuminuric groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients in both groups were subjected to thorough clinical and laboratory investigations including the assay of serum thrombomodulin (TM) and glycosylated hemoglobin level. Early-morning midstream urine samples were evaluated for levels of beta 2 microglobulin, alpha 1 microglobulin, TM, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the clinical demographic characteristics. There were statistically significant higher values for glycosylated hemoglobin percentage, serum triglycerides and serum TM and urinary B2 microglobulin, urinary alpha 1 microglobulin, urinary NAG and urinary thrombomodulin in microalbuminuric group in comparison to normoalbuminuric group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuria is associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction in elderly normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. We recommend incorporation of periodic testing for microalbuminuria in this sector of patients.