Search

ObjectivesThe study aimed to estimate the role of liver fibrosis in the association between occupational physical activity (OPA) and blood pressure (BP), which is modified by lifestyle factors.MethodsThe questionnaire survey and physical examination were completed among 992 construction workers in Wuhan, China. Associations between OPA or lifestyle factors and liver fibrosis indices and blood pressure were assessed using generalized additive models. The mediation analysis was used to evaluate the role of liver fibrosis in the association between OPA and lifestyle factors and BP.ResultsModerate/high OPA group workers had an increased risk of liver fibrosis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.69, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.16–2.47, P < 0.05] compared with low OPA group workers. Smoking or drinking alcohol was related to liver fibrosis (aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index: OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.07–4.62 or OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.00–4.15; P < 0.05). Compared with non-drinkers, drinkers were related to a 2.35-mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (95% CI: 0.09–4.61), and a 1.60-mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure (95% CI: 0.08–3.13; P < 0.05). We found a significant pathway, “OPA → liver fibrosis → blood pressure elevation,” and lifestyle factors played a regulatory role in the pathway.ConclusionOPA or lifestyle factors were associated with liver fibrosis indices or BP in construction workers. Furthermore, the association between OPA and BP may be partially mediated by liver fibrosis; lifestyle factors strengthen the relationship between OPA and BP and the mediation role of liver fibrosis in the relationship.

BackgroundOccupational noise is one of the most common and prevalent occupational hazards worldwide and may induce adverse auditory and/or non-auditory health effects. However, the relationship between occupational noise exposure and hypertension is controversial and has long been debated.MethodsBased on large sample cross-sectional data from all registered occupational health examination units from 2021 to 2022 (N = 101,605), this study aimed to analyze the prevalence of hearing loss and hypertension and to explore the influencing factors of hypertension of workers in Wuhan. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses and multivariate analyses were used. Forest plot and nomograms were constructed for the visualization of predictive results. The ROC curve, AUC, C-index and calibration curves were used to assess the predictive accuracy and validity. DCA was performed to evaluate the net benefit that workers could receive.ResultsHigher rate of high-frequency hearing loss (25.3%), speech frequency hearing loss (8.8%), ECG abnormalities (31.9%) and hypertension (21.0%) were found in workers exposed to occupational noise in Wuhan. Occupational noise exposure (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01–1.18, p = 0.04), growth of age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.07–1.07, p < 0.001), overweight (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.73–1.92, p < 0.001), obesity (OR: 3.62, 95% CI: 3.42–3.83, p < 0.001), hyperglycemia (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.73–1.96, p < 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.22–1.48; p < 0.001), ECG abnormalities (OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.07–1.15; p < 0.001) and family history of hypertension (OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.58–1.81; p < 0.001) were risk factors of hypertension for workers. Male workers had a relatively higher hypertension risk than female workers (OR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.54–1.69; p < 0.001). Ear protective measures could not reduce the risk of hypertension in workers. Our nomogram has good predictive accuracy and validity. A dynamic nomogram to predict the workers' risk of hypertension was established publicly available online.ConclusionOccupational noise exposure may elevate workers' hypertension risk. More effective and relevant prevention measures should be taken. Our nomogram may help identify high-risk workers and facilitate timely interventions.

ObjectiveTo develop a prediction nomogram for the risk of lung-related diseases (LRD) in construction workers.MethodsSeven hundred and fifty-two construction workers were recruited. A self- designed questionnaire was performed to collected relevant information. Chest X-ray was taken to judge builders' lung health. The potential predictors subsets of the risk of LRD were screened by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and univariate analysis, and determined by using multivariate logistic regression analysis, then were used for developing a prediction nomogram for the risk of LRD. C-index, calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic curve, decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve analysis (CICA) were used to evaluation the identification, calibration, predictive ability and clinical effectiveness of the nomogram.ResultsFive hundred and twenty-six construction workers were allocated to training group and 226 to validation group. The predictors included in the nomogram were symptoms, years of dust exposure, work in shifts and labor intensity. Our model showed good discrimination ability, with a bootstrap-corrected C index of 0.931 (95% CI = 0.906–0.956), and had well-fitted calibration curves. The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram were (95% CI = 0.906–0.956) and 0.945 (95% CI = 0.891–0.999) in the training and validation groups, respectively. The results of DCA and CICA indicated that the nomogram may have clinical usefulness.ConclusionWe established and validated a novel nomogram that can provide individual prediction of LRD for construction workers. This practical prediction model may help occupational physicians in decision making and design of occupational health examination.

BackgroundWelding fumes are a risk factor for welder pneumoconiosis. However, there is a lack of population information on the occurrence of welding fume-induced lung cancer, and little is known about the welding fume pathogenesis.MethodsWelding fume and metal ion concentrations were assessed in a vehicle factory in Wuhan. A Cox regression model estimated lung-related disease risk in workers by independent and combined factors.ResultsWorkers' exposures were divided into four grades; the highest exposure was among the welders in the maintenance workshop, the highest Mn and Fe exposure was 4 grades, and the highest Cr exposure was 3 grades. Subgroup analysis found that the risk of lung-related disease was 2.17 (95% CI: 1.31–3.57, p < 0.05) in welders compared with non-welders, and the risk of pulmonary disease in male welders was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.34–3.73, p < 0.05) compared to non-welders. Smoking welders had a 2.44 (95% CI: 1.32–4.51, p < 0.01) higher incidence of lung-related diseases than non-welders. Total years of work as an independent protective factor for lung-related disease risk was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66–0.78, p < 0.01). As an independent risk factor, high-high and high-low exposure had a 5.39 (95% CI: 2.52–11.52, p < 0.001) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.07–4.41, p < 0.05) higher risk for lung-related diseases, respectively.ConclusionsHigh welding fume exposure is a significant risk factor for lung-related disease in workers.

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have explored the relationship between work-related stress and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but it remains unclear on whether work-related stress could increase the risk of T2DM. We aimed to evaluate the association between job strain and the risk of T2DM. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Web of Science up to April 2019. Summary risk estimates were calculated by random-effect models. And the analysis was also conducted stratifying by gender, study location, smoking, drinking, body mass index, physical activity, family history of T2DM, education and T2DM ascertainment. Studies with binary job strain and quadrants based on the job strain model were analyzed separately. RESULTS: A total of nine studies with 210 939 participants free of T2DM were included in this analysis. High job strain (high job demands and low control) was associated with the overall risk of T2DM compared with no job strain (all other combinations) [relative risk (RR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.31], and the association was more evident in women (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02–2.14). A statistically significant association was also observed when using high strain as a category (job strain quadrants) rather than binary variable (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.55) in women but not men. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that job strain is an important risk factor for T2DM, especially among women. Appropriate preventive interventions in populations with high job strain would contribute to a reduction in T2DM risk.

Occupational exposure is a significant source of metal contact; previous studies have been limited regarding the effect of occupational metal exposure on the development of hypertension. This study was conducted to assess the levels of exposure of certain metals (chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni)) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive workers and to assess the relationship between the risk of hypertension and metal exposure level. Our study included 138 hypertensive patients as case groups and 138 non-hypertensive participants as controls. The exposure risk level was divided according to the limit value after collecting and testing the metal dust in the workshop. Considering the influence of single- and poly-metal, single factor analysis and conditional logistic regression analysis of poly-metal were carried out. The results of the model indicated that the incidence of hypertension increased with an increase in Cr exposure level, and the risk of hypertension was 1.85 times higher in the highest exposure than in the lowest exposure (95% CI: 1.20–2.86, p < 0.05). Mn has the same effect as Cr. There was no significant correlation between Fe or Ni and hypertension. Our findings suggested that Cr and Mn exposure in the work environment might increase the risk of hypertension, while no effect of Fe and Ni on blood pressure was found. Prospective study designs in larger populations are needed to confirm our findings.

Bamboo shoot is a delicious and nutritious forest vegetable. It has been found that bamboo shoots collected from low-light environments have a less bitter taste. The molecular mechanism of light in the regulation of bitter substance accumulation in bamboo shoots is still unclear. In this study, we applied a shading treatment to Pleioblastus amarus bamboo shoots in the preharvesting period. The reduction in the bitterness intensity was confirmed by a sensory test. An integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis was performed on P. amarus bamboo shoots grown under shading treatment and normal growing conditions, and 56 differentially accumulated metabolites and 178 differentially expressed genes were identified. The results showed that the contents of a series of phenolic acids related to the tyrosine metabolism pathway were downregulated under shading treatment, revealing that shading decreased the accumulation of phenolic acids and further mediated the resulting bitter taste of the bamboo shoots. This work will be helpful for understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing the bitter tasting substances in bamboo shoots grown under a shading treatment and provides a reference for the use of shading treatment in cultivation practices to improve the taste of bamboo shoots.

Objectives Serum uric acid (SUA) is both a strong antioxidant and one of the key risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We aimed to investigate the associations of urinary metal profile with SUA in traffic policemen in Wuhan, China. Design A cross-sectional study was carried out in traffic policemen. Setting A seriously polluted Chinese city. Participants A total of 186 traffic policemen were recruited in this study. About 56 of them worked in the logistics department and the other 130 maintained traffic order or dealt with traffic accidents on the roads. All these subjects had worked as a policeman for at least 1 year. Main outcome measures SUA. Results The significantly negative association of lead with SUA was consistent between single-metal and multiplemetal models (p=0.004 and p=0.020, respectively). Vanadium, chromium and tin were reversely associated with SUA levels in the single-metal models after false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment (all P_FDR < 0.05). One IQR increase in vanadium, chromium, tin and lead was associated with 26.9 µmol/L (95% CI -44.6 to -9.2; p=0.003), 27.4 µmol/L (95% CI -46.1 to -8.8; p=0.004), 11.2 µmol/L (95% CI -18.9 to -3.4; p=0.005) and 16.4 µmol/L (95% CI -27.6 to -5.2; p=0.004) decrease in SUA, respectively. Significant interaction between smoking and vanadium on decreased SUV was found (p for interaction = 0.007 and p_FDR = 0.028). Conclusions Urinary vanadium, chromium, tin and lead were negatively associated with SUA. Vanadium and cigarette smoking jointly affected SUA levels. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and to investigate the potential mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, we develop a facile method to fabricate highly sensitive and stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which is realized by combining co-sputtering with atomic layer deposition technology. To accomplish the SERS substrate preparation, we firstly utilized co-sputtering silver and aluminum on glass slides to form uniform discontinuous Ag film by removing Al later, which acted as SERS active moiety and presented high sensitivity in glycerin detection. After coating an ultrathin TiO2 layer via atomic layer deposition (ALD), the samples could further enhance the Raman signal due to the chemical effect as well as the long-range effect of the enhanced electromagnetic field generated by the encapsulated Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Besides, the coated sample could maintain the significant enhancement in air condition for more than 30 days. The high stability is induced by TiO2 layer, which efficiently prevents Ag NPs from surface oxidation. This highly sensitive and stable SERS substrate might highlight the application of interface state investigation for exploring novel liquid lubricating materials.