[An epidemiological and evolutionary profile of occupational asthma of Tunisian workers].

Introduction: This study aims to identify the epidemiological and occupational characteristics of patients with occupational asthma (OA) and to assess their clinical evolution and occupational outcomes.

Methods: We carried out a descriptive epidemiological study over a period of five years (from 2012 to 2016) about the OA cases in the private sector reported in the Tunisian region of Zaghouan.

Results: All in all, 165 OA cases were reported during the study period, representing an annual incidence of 733.

Evaluation of daily Laurus nobilis tea consumption on anxiety and stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers.

Laurus nobilis is known in the field of herbal medicine and in vitro studies for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti- diabetes, and anti-inflammatory beneficial effects. Laurus nobilis tea consumption was investigated with regard to its effects on anxiety and stress in healthy individuals, measured by subjective tools and by plasmatic cortisol levels. The study included thirty healthy Tunisian volunteers aged between 20 and 57 years consuming Laurus nobilis infusion, prepared from 5g of dried Laurus nobilis leaves in 100 ml boiled water, once a day during 10 days.

Contribution of Patch Tests with Occupational Handled Products in the Diagnosis of Occupational Contact Dermatitis: A 10-year Review.

Introduction: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common occupational disease. Its diagnosis is essentially based on interrogation and patch tests. However, commercially available batteries are sometimes not appropriate for the working conditions and the handled products, which must then be tested.

Occupational Noise Exposure and Diabetes Risk.

Introduction: Noise is one of the most common worldwide environmental pollutants, especially in occupational fields. As a stressor, it affects not only the ear but also the entire body. Its physiological and psychological impacts have been well established in many conditions such as cardiovascular diseases.

Seasonal Variation in Patch Test Results with European Baseline Series.

Aim: To study the influence of season on patch tests results.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study which concerned all the patients of the Tunisian center, who consulted in the Dermato-Allergology Unit of Occupational Medicine Department of Farhat Hached University Hospital-Sousse (Tunisia) over a period of 07 years. All the patients were tested by the European Standard Battery allergens (BSE).

Effects of music therapy on occupational stress and burn-out risk of operating room staff.

The operating theatre staff is exposed to various constraints such as excessive working hours, severe medical conditions and dreadful consequences in case of malpractice. These working conditions may lead to high and chronic levels of stress, which can interfere with medical staff well-being and patients quality of care. The aim of this study is toassess the impact of music therapy on stress levels and burnout risk on the operating room staff.

Evaluation of Daily Tea Consumption on Lipid Profile Biomarkers in Healthy Volunteers.

is known in the field of herbal medicine and studies that it has beneficial effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetes, and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether tea consumption affects the plasma levels of lipid biomarkers in healthy volunteers. Thirty healthy Tunisian volunteers aged between 20 and 57 years old consumed infusion, prepared from 5 g of dried leaves in 100 ml boiled water, once a day during 10 days.

Seasonality of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Sousse (Tunisia).

Introduction: Seasonal variation of Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has attracted the attention in several regions of the world.

Aim: To explore the relationship between variations of mean meteorological parameters (temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity and duration of sunshine) and the occurrence of cases of pulmonary TB.

Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of two-time series (meteorological data, case of pulmonary TB) from 1th January 2010 to 31th December 2014.

[Impact of occupational noise in the development of arterial hypertension: A survey carried out in a company of electricity production].

Background: Noise pollution is one of the major environmental pollutants that can adversely affect public health. Cardiovascular diseases are the primary out-auditory adverse outcome caused by occupational noise exposure.

Aims: To investigate the association between occupational exposure to high level of noise and blood pressure among a group of workers in a company of electricity production in the Centre of Tunisia.

[Specificities of occupational asthma in women and its interactions with hormonal status].

Background: Occupational asthma (OA) is described as the most common respiratory disease in industrialized countries. A female predominance characterizes many populations of asthmatic workers. Differences in occupational exposures by gender as well as hormonal variations could affect OA in women.

A 3-Year Workplace-Based Intervention Program to Control Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors in Sousse, Tunisia.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a 3-year workplace-based intervention program on the control of the main noncommunicable disease risk factors (poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use) among the employees of Sousse, Tunisia.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study (pre- and postassessments with intervention and control groups) in six companies of the governorate of Sousse in Tunisia.The intervention program consisted of health education programs (eg, workshops, films and open sensitization days).

A cytogenetic approach to the effects of low levels of ionizing radiation (IR) on the exposed Tunisian hospital workers.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess chromosomal damage in Tunisian hospital workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation (IR).

Materials And Methods: The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in the peripheral lymphocytes of 67 exposed workers compared to 43 controls matched for gender, age and smoking habits was used. The clastogenic/aneugenic effect of IR was evaluated using the CBMN assay in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization with human pan-centromeric DNA in all the exposed subjects and controls.

A combination of micronucleus assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to evaluate the genotoxicity of formaldehyde.

A genotoxic effect of formaldehyde (FA), particularly micronucleus (MN) induction, has been shown in several previous studies. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of micronuclei and to identify the type of chromosomal damage in Tunisian staff members working in the Pathologic Anatomy Laboratory of Farhat Hached hospital (Sousse, Tunisia) who were exposed to FA. Assessment of chromosomal damage was performed in peripheral lymphocytes of 31 FA-exposed employees compared with 31 control employees working in the administrative department of the same hospital.

Spirometric profile of narghile smokers.

Introduction: Studies of the spirometric profiles of narghile smokers are few, have some methodological limits (i.e. small sample size), and present contradictory conclusions.

Assessment of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei and proliferation rate index in peripheral lymphocytes from Tunisian nurses handling cytotoxic drugs.

Anti-neoplastic agents are widely used in the treatment of cancer and some non-neoplastic diseases. These drugs have been proved to be mutagens, carcinogens and teratogens. To check the eventual effects of anti-cancer drugs on occupationally exposed Tunisian nurses, we used chromosomal aberration assay and micronucleus assay.

[Spirometric profile of narghile smokers].

Introduction: Studies of the spirometric profile of narghile smokers are few, have some methodologic limits (ie. small sample size) and present contradictory conclusions.

Objective: (i) To determine the percentage of smokers having an obstructive ventilatory defect (OVD) and/or a restrictive ventilatory defect (RVD) or static hyperinflation (SHI).

[Value of maximum expiratory volume per second and peak expiratory flow monitoring in asthma. 77 patients].

A retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 77 subjects to assess the interest of computerized flowmeter "one-flow" in the diagnosis and follow up of asthma. 77 patients and a control group matched for age and sex, measured four times by day, the forced expiratory volume in one second as well as the peak expiratory flow during 15 to 30 days. The monitoring of these two variables allowed to participate to the exclusion from the study of fifteen patients whose asthma diagnosis was informed.