An Ecological Study of COVID-19 Infection Rates within the UK Food and Drink Processing Industry.

Objectives: Food processing facilities represent critical infrastructure that have stayed open during much of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the burden of COVID-19 in this sector is thus important to help reduce the potential for workplace infection in future outbreaks.

Methods: We undertook a workplace survey in the UK food and drink processing sector and collected information on workplace size, characteristics (e.

Cytogenetic features of buccal epithelium under exposure to harmful factors of metallurgical production.

At the present stage of development of society, the issues of preserving and strengthening the most important productive force that determine the economic development and national security of the country remain relevant. Metallurgy is one of the basic industries in Russia, which forms up to 20% of GDP. This study assesses the condition of the oral mucosa in workers in the industry.

[Upper respiratory tract infection with new COVID-19 coronavirus infection and aspects of occupational pathology examination].

The article discusses the issues of a new coronovirus infection CAVID-19, which suddenly appeared from the end of January 2020. in China and actively, widely spread around the world. The SARS-CoV virus is assigned to group II pathogenicity.

[On situation with occupational allergic morbidity in modern conditions].

The article presents new research data concerning characteristics of formation, prevalence, identification of the main nosological forms of occupational allergic morbidity in various districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan. It is demonstrated that in the structure of occupational pathology diseases of allergic etiology take significant place varying from 16,8% to 23,7%. One of the important trends is development of preventive measures for development and propagation of occupational allergic diseases.

[Key points of 'Noise-induced hearing loss' clinical guidelines].

In this article we present the key points of 'Noise-induced hearing loss' clinical guidelines, which are included to the Clinical Guidelines Classifier of the Ministry of Health of Russia (2018). We give the definition of 'Noise-induced hearing loss', disclose the main causes and pathogenetic features of hearing impairment in employees who are affected by intensive noise at work. We state the main clinical and diagnostic criteria, treatment and rehabilitation principles; present the basics of primary and secondary prevention of hearing impairment in 'noise-hazardous' workers.

[The organizational aspects of early diagnostic of metabolic syndrome on the basis of implementation of new genetic, cellular and bio-informational technologies].

The characteristic feature of molecular medicine as medicine based on molecular structure of human genome data, is its individual character. It is focused on correcting pathological process in specific individual considering unique characteristics of its genome. The other most important feature is its expressed preventive direction.

[The decade hemogram of workers of phthalate industry].

The article presents decade dynamics of hemogram of workers started their labor activity in factories of terephthalic acid, purifed terephthalic acid and polyethylene terephthalate. The study established a hemodynamics depended on career pattern, characterizing hematologic shifts i.e.

Pharmacological Analysis of the Therapeutic Effect of Radioprotectors Cystamine and Indralin in the Capacity of Radiomitigators.

The therapeutic radiomitigating effect of cystamine and indralin was studied in experiments on mice and rats and pharmacological analysis of these drugs was carried out. The animals were subjected to whole-body Co γ-irradiation. The mice were exposed to single (9-10 Gy) or double (8 Gy) irradiation with an interval of 1 month.

[The laboratory markers of early metabolic disorders in workers of rubber Articles industry.].

The article presents results of complex laboratory analyses applied to workers of rubber articles industry using biochemical, hematological, immunological techniques. The study established the most expressed and early alterations of processes of oxidative metabolism (decreasing of catalase activity, increasing of level of malonic dialdehyde and uric acid) and indicators of lipid metabolism of blood serum. The increasing of percentage of persons with metabolic disorders related to length of service in industry is established.

Leukotriene B4, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha, and pH in exhaled breath condensate from asymptomatic smokers.

Long-term cigarette smoking is the major etiological factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in the pathogenesis. Biomarkers reflecting these responses could be analyzed in exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

Assessment of Confounding Factors Affecting the Tumor Markers SMRP, CA125, and CYFRA21-1 in Serum.

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate if serum levels of potential tumor markers for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer are affected by confounding factors in a surveillance cohort of workers formerly exposed to asbestos. SMRP, CA125, and CYFRA21-1 concentrations were determined in about 1,700 serum samples from 627 workers formerly exposed to asbestos. The impact of factors that could modify the concentrations of the tumor markers was examined with linear mixed models.

Albumin and hemoglobin adducts of benzo[a]pyrene in humans--analytical methods, exposure assessment, and recommendations for future directions.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in our environment and can cause cancer. Exposure to PAHs can be assessed by protein adduct dosimetry using benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) as a model compound. We present an overview of analytical methods to detect B[a]P- derived protein adducts in humans, their uses in exposure assessment, and recommendations for future research.

Night work and breast cancer - results from the German GENICA study.

Objectives: Some epidemiological and animal data indicate that night work might increase the risk for breast cancer. We have investigated the risk in a German population-based case-control study known as GENICA (gene environment interaction and breast cancer).

Methods: The GENICA study involved interviews to assess shift work information in 857 breast cancer cases and 892 controls.

N-acetyltransferase 2, exposure to aromatic and heterocyclic amines, and receptor-defined breast cancer.

The role of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphism in breast cancer is still unclear. We explored the associations between potential sources of exposure to aromatic and heterocyclic amines (AHA), acetylation status and receptor-defined breast cancer in 1020 incident cases and 1047 population controls of the German GENICA study. Acetylation status was assessed as slow or fast.

Occupational immediate-type asthma and rhinitis due to rhodium salts.

Background: Whereas platinum salts are well known occupational allergens, rhodium salts have not been identified as inhalative sensitizing substances.

Methods: A 27-year-old atopic operator of an electroplating plant developed work-related shortness of breath and runny nose with sneezing after exposure to rhodium salts. Quantitative skin prick tests (SPT) and bronchial challenge tests with a dosimeter protocol were performed with quadrupling doses of the sodium chloride salts of rhodium (Na(3)RhCl(6)) and platinum (Na(2)PtCl(6)).

Comparative analysis of selected exhaled breath biomarkers obtained with two different temperature-controlled devices.

Background: The collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a suitable and non-invasive method for evaluation of airway inflammation. Several studies indicate that the composition of the condensate and the recovery of biomarkers are affected by physical characteristics of the condensing device and collecting circumstances. Additionally, there is an apparent influence of the condensing temperature, and often the level of detection of the assay is a limiting factor.

Assessment of low dose effects of acute sulphur dioxide exposure on the airways using non-invasive methods.

Sulphur dioxide (SO(2)) is an important environmental and workplace air pollutant. Some studies demonstrate that subjects without adaptation respond to SO(2) up to 10 ppm with irritative effects on the airways. The aim of our study was to assess irritative effects of SO(2) up to 2 ppm on the airways using non-invasive methods like exhaled breath condensate (EBC), nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).

Cancer mortality in a surveillance cohort of German males formerly exposed to asbestos.

The objective of this analysis was the estimation of the cancer risks of asbestos and asbestosis in a surveillance cohort of high-exposed German workers. A group of 576 asbestos workers was selected for high-resolution computer tomography of the chest in 1993-1997. A mortality follow-up was conducted through 2007.

Comparison of wheat and rye flour solutions for skin prick testing: a multi-centre study (Stad 1).

Background: Skin prick testing (SPT) is the basic method for diagnosing IgE-mediated allergies. However, skin reactivity is related to the quality of allergen extracts, which are often poorly defined for occupational allergens.

Objective: To compare wheat and rye flour SPT solutions from different producers.

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage by industry: a nationwide study in Germany.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and DNA damage were analyzed in coke oven (n = 37), refractory (n = 96), graphite electrode (n = 26), and converter workers (n = 12), whereas construction workers (n = 48) served as referents. PAH exposure was assessed by personal air sampling during shift and biological monitoring in urine post shift (1-hydroxypyrene, 1-OHP and 1-, 2 + 9-, 3-, 4-hydroxyphenanthrenes, SigmaOHPHE). DNA damage was measured by 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) and DNA strand breaks in blood post shift.

Exhaled breath condensate and airway inflammation.

Purpose Of Review: The collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method for evaluation of airway inflammation. This article reviews recent data concerning the ability of EBC markers to reflect alterations in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or environment and occupation-induced changes.

Recent Findings: The recovery of biomarkers in EBC is affected by physical characteristics of the condensing device and collecting circumstances as well as environmental conditions or exercise.

Human body burdens of chemicals used in plastic manufacture.

In the last decades, the availability of sophisticated analytical chemistry techniques has facilitated measuring trace levels of multiple environmental chemicals in human biological matrices (i.e. biomonitoring) with a high degree of accuracy and precision.

Consort hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

To date, there is little information in the literature that hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to birds may occur without direct contact to birds. A 62-yr-old pensioner developed mild flu-like symptoms, fatigue and polyuria several hours after each meeting with his new female partner, either in hotels or his apartment. After divorcing from her ex-husband, who was a canary fancier, the female had moved into a bungalow approximately 6 months earlier.

Standardization of whole blood assay for determination of pyrogenic activity in organic dust samples.

To characterize bioaerosol exposure at workplaces standardized methods are necessary. Activity of endotoxin, one component of organic dust, can be quantified with the Limulus-Amoebocyte Lysat test (LAL test). Further information with respect to pyrogenic activity of the organic dust can be achieved by measuring cytokine release of human blood after stimulation with the dust or its extract (whole blood assay).

Allergen content of grass pollen preparations for skin prick testing and sublingual immunotherapy.

Background: The allergen content of diagnostics and immunotherapeutics is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the allergen content of different grass pollen preparations for skin prick testing and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

Methods: Five skin prick test (SPT) solutions and 10 sublingual immunotherapeutics were analysed for protein and allergen concentration by Bradford assay, inhibition of IgE-binding to Phleum pratense ImmunoCAPs and content of the main allergen Phl p 5 by two-site enzyme immunoassay.