Open fire ovens and effects of in-home lavash bread baking on carbon monoxide exposure and carboxyhemoglobin levels among women in rural Armenia.

Lavash is a traditional flatbread commonly baked at home by women in Armenia and other Middle Eastern and Caucasus countries. The baking process follows centuries' old recipes and is done primarily in open fire ovens. Data are limited regarding the impact of baking on indoor air quality and health outcomes.

Toxic metals in ayurvedic preparations from a public health lead poisoning cluster investigation.

Background Herbal formulations, traditional medicine, and complementary and alternative medicine are used by the majority of the world's population. Toxicity associated with use of Ayurvedic products due to metal content is an increasingly recognized potential public health problem. Objectives Report on toxic metals content of Ayurvedic products obtained during an investigation of lead poisoning among users of Ayurvedic medicine.

PCB95 and PCB153 change dopamine levels and turn-over in PC12 cells.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposure at low chronic levels is a significant public health concern. Animal and epidemiological studies indicate that low PCB body burden may cause neurotoxicity and be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. In the current study, we measured the ability of two non-dioxin like PCBs, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153) and 2,2'3,5',6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB95), to alter dopamine (DA) levels and metabolism using the dopaminergic PC12 cell line.

Child Supervision and Burn Outcome among Admitted Patients at Major Trauma Hospitals in the Gambia.

Burn-related injuries are a significant burden in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where more than 90% of burn-related pediatric deaths occur. Lack of adult supervision of children is a major risk for pediatric burn injuries. The goal of this paper was to examine the general characteristics of burns and identify burn injury outcomes among adult-supervised children compared to those who were not supervised.

Risk Factors for Road Traffic Injuries among Different Road Users in the Gambia.

We identified risk factors for road traffic injuries among road users who received treatment at two major trauma hospitals in urban Gambia. The study includes pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers/passengers of cars and trucks. We examined distributions of injury by age, gender, collision vehicle types and vehicle category, and driver and environment factors.

Impact of interleukin 13 (IL13) genetic polymorphism Arg130Gln on total serum immunoglobulin (IgE) levels and interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression.

This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility by targeting variants in interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 signalling pathways leading to atopic disease in early childhood. We evaluated involvement of five single nucleotide polymorphisms IL4 C-590T, IL13 C-1055T, IL13 Arg130Gln, IL4RA Ile50Val and IL4RA Gln576Arg, in the control of serum total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels. Furthermore, we analysed their association with changes in gene expression of five cytokines having key roles in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune response [IL-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-8 and IL-10].

Environmental and occupational health needs assessment in West Africa: opportunities for research and training.

Objectives: Data are lacking on environmental and occupational health risks and resources available for the prevention of related diseases in the West African subregion.

Methods: A needs assessment survey was conducted to identify environmental and occupational health concerns, and needs and strategies for skills training in the region. The survey was followed by a consensus-building workshop to discuss research and training priorities with representatives from countries participating in the study.

Lower limit of normal based spirometric abnormalities associated with radiographic abnormality in an elderly cohort at low risk for exposure.

Background: Although the relation between radiographic abnormalities and spirometric impairment in people with asbestosis has been studied extensively, the extent of spirometric impairment associated with milder radiographic abnormalities is not established.

Objective: To test associations between mild radiographic abnormalities and Lower Limit of Normal (LLN)-based spirometry interpretation.

Methods: Spirometry and CXRs were collected for 1,026 at low risk of exposure to pneumoconiotic agents participants in a medical screening program.

Novel Logistic Regression Model of Chest CT Attenuation Coefficient Distributions for the Automated Detection of Abnormal (Emphysema or ILD) Versus Normal Lung.

Rationale And Objectives: We evaluated the role of automated quantitative computed tomography (CT) scan interpretation algorithm in detecting interstitial lung disease (ILD) and/or emphysema in a sample of elderly subjects with mild lung disease. We hypothesized that the quantification and distributions of CT attenuation values on lung CT, over a subset of Hounsfield units (HUs) range (-1000 HU, 0 HU), can differentiate early or mild disease from normal lung.

Materials And Methods: We compared the results of quantitative spiral rapid end-exhalation (functional residual capacity, FRC) and end-inhalation (total lung capacity, TLC) CT scan analyses of 52 subjects with radiographic evidence of mild fibrotic lung disease to the results of 17 normal subjects.

A cluster of lead poisoning among consumers of Ayurvedic medicine.

Background: Use of alternative medications and herbal remedies is widespread in the United States and across the globe. These traditional medications can be contaminated with toxic metals. Despite several case reports of poisoning from such contamination, the epidemiological data are still limited.

Psychological distress, job dissatisfaction, and somatic symptoms in office workers in 6 non-problem buildings in the Midwest.

Background: Researchers examined office worker characteristics and reports of non-specific somatic symptoms in 6 non-problem buildings in the Midwestern United States.

Methods: We assessed office workers for demographic characteristics and somatic symptoms that occurred in the workplace. Sampling was conducted over a 1-week period in each building over 4 seasons.

Unsuspected exposure to beryllium: potential implications for sarcoidosis diagnoses.

Exposure to Beryllium (Be) can cause sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in some individuals.  Even relatively low exposures may be sufficient to generate an asymptomatic, or in some cases a symptomatic, immune response. Since the clinical presentation of CBD is similar to that of sarcoidosis, it is helpful to have information on exposure to beryllium in order to reduce misdiagnosis.

A case report of adult lead toxicity following use of Ayurvedic herbal medication.

Introduction: Ayurvedic medications consist of herbs that may be intentionally combined with metals, such as lead, mercury, iron, and zinc. Ayurvedic practitioners and their patients believe that the toxic properties of the metals are reduced or eliminated during preparation and processing.

Case Report: A 69 year old Caucasian male retired professional with a prior history of stroke presented for evaluation of new onset depression, fatigue, generalized weakness, constipation, anorexia, and weight loss.

Agreement between fixed-ratio and lower limit of normal spirometry interpretation protocols decreases with age: is there a need for a new GOLD standard?

Objectives: To assess concordance between the fixed 70% ratio cutoff point with the fixed percent predicted values (Fixed-ratio) and the lower limit of normal (LLN) algorithms in interpreting spirometry results in an older population.

Methods: Spirometries were interpreted using Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reference equations for 2319 workers.

Results: The Fixed-ratio algorithm characterized 34.

Personal air sampling and risks of inhalation exposure during atrazine application in Honduras.

Purpose: To assess occupational inhalation exposure to the herbicide atrazine during pesticide application in a developing country.

Methods: Personal air samples were collected during atrazine application using a personal sampling pump equipped with an OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS-2) sorbent tube. Samples were collected from 24 pesticide applicators in Honduras.

Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers.

Objective: To estimate prevalence and risk factors for International Labour Organization radiographic abnormalities, and assess relationship of these abnormalities with spirometry results in former Department of Energy nuclear weapons workers.

Methods: Participants were offered chest x-ray (CXR) and lung function testing. Three occupational medicine physicians read CXRs.

Risk of beryllium sensitization in a low-exposed former nuclear weapons cohort from the Cold War era.

Background: The nuclear weapons industry has long been known as a source of beryllium exposure.

Methods: A total of 1,004 former workers from a nuclear weapons assembly site in the Midwest were screened for sensitization to beryllium (BeS). The screenings were part of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Worker Program established in 1996.

Prevalence of beryllium sensitization among Department of Defense conventional munitions workers at low risk for exposure.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of beryllium sensitization among former and current Department of Defense workers from a conventional munitions facility.

Methods: Participants were screened by using Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test. Those sensitized were offered clinical evaluation for chronic beryllium disease.

Preventing heat-related illness among Hispanic farmworkers.

Hispanic and Latino farmworkers are at risk for negative occupational health and safety outcomes due to issues such as their extreme work conditions, their reliance on employer beneficence, and cultural barriers. The purpose of this article is to explain the unique characteristics of heat-related illness in the Hispanic agricultural work force and to provide an overview of the problems of poor hydration and heat exposure in this population. Culturally appropriate preventive strategies are discussed because industrial-type solutions may not work in a crop production environment where language and beliefs may interfere with adaptation.

Pesticide handling and exposures among cotton farmers in the gambia.

Objectives: There are substantial health hazards to farmers and the environment associated with pesticide use in developing countries. Based on observations by the authors and previous reports, most previous studies in Africa are descriptive in nature. The aim of this study was to investigate how cotton farmers are exposed to pesticides in The Gambia and quantify their pesticide exposures and provide information for the formulation of a policy on pesticide safety for the country.

Keokuk County rural health study: self-reported use of agricultural chemicals and protective equipment.

The Keokuk County Rural Health Study is a population-based study of an agricultural community in Iowa. The study includes in-depth evaluations of respiratory disease, injury, and other health outcomes in relation to environmental and occupational exposures. This article reports descriptive findings on pesticide use from among the 1191 participants completing occupational surveys.

Beryllium surface levels in a military ammunition plant.

This study evaluated the presence of beryllium surface contamination in a U.S. conventional munitions plant as an indicator of possible past beryllium airborne and skin exposure and used these measurements to classify job categories by potential level of exposure.

Agricultural health in The Gambia II: A systematic survey of safety and injuries in production agriculture.

This study was undertaken to provide baseline information on the injuries and health and safety conditions in Gambian agriculture. The objective was to produce information to guide the formulation of an agricultural health and safety policy for the country, future investigations, prevention and surveillance of the adverse health effects in agriculture. A cross-sectional survey of 20 farmers, 20 nurses, and 20 agricultural extension workers was conducted in the Central and Upper River Divisions of The Gambia.

Agricultural health in The Gambia I: Agricultural practices and developments.

This manuscript reports results of our study to characterize the historical developments of agricultural practices in The Gambia and related health risks of farm workers. It surveys the various factors that shape production agriculture in the country and examines the degrees to which hand tools, animal traction, motorized traction and manual labour all contribute to the inherent hazards of farm work. The principal objective of this study is to lay the ground work for detailed research of occupational health hazards in Gambian agriculture; and development of policies and programmes to promote the health of Gambian farmers.

Prognosis of metachronous contralateral breast cancer according to stage at diagnosis: the importance of early detection.

Detection of metachronous contralateral breast cancer (MCBC) is an important aspect of follow-up among the many women previously diagnosed with first primary breast cancer (FPBC). While randomized studies have demonstrated the efficacy of early detection of FPBC, such findings cannot be generalized to women previously diagnosed with breast cancer since they were specifically excluded from participation. In this study, we determined if detection of MCBC at stage 0-I improves prognosis among women diagnosed with stage 0-III FPBC.