Search

Author(s): Carmina Jiménez-Ramírez [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Swaantje Casjens [sup.4] , Cuauhtémoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez [sup.2] , Irina Raiko [sup.4] , Luz M. Del Razo [sup.1] , Dirk Taeger [sup.4] , [...], Purpose Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Currently, the diagnosis is a challenge, carried out by means of invasive methods of limited sensitivity. This is a case-control study to evaluate the individual and combined performance of minimally invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of MPM. Method A study of 166 incident cases of MPM and 378 population controls of Mestizo-Mexican ethnicity was conducted. Mesothelin, calretinin, and megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF) were quantified in plasma by ELISA. The samples were collected from 2011 to 2016. Results Based on ROC analysis and a preset specificity of 95%, the combination of the three biomarkers reached an AUC of 0.944 and a sensitivity of 82% in men. In women, an AUC of 0.937 and a sensitivity of 87% were reached. In nonconditional logistic regression models, the adjusted ORs in men were 7.92 (95% CI 3.02-20.78) for mesothelin, 20.44 (95% CI 8.90-46.94) for calretinin, and 4.37 (95% CI 1.60-11.94) for MPF. The ORs for women were 28.89 (95% CI 7.32-113.99), 17.89 (95% CI 3.93-81.49), and 2.77 (95% CI 0.47-16.21), respectively. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating a combination of mesothelin, calretinin, and MPF, and demonstrating a sex effect for calretinin. The biomarker panel showed a good performance in a Mestizo-Mexican population, with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MPM.

Objetivo. Describir las condiciones de exposición ocupacional a plomo y sus indicadores biológicos entre los trabajadores de una imprenta. Material y métodos. Se realizó una investigación epidemiológica y en higiene industrial, y se midió el plomo en aire y en manos de los participantes; además, se les tomó muestra de sangre venosa a los sujetos para la determinación de plomo en sangre total por medio de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica, y se les hicieron mediciones de plomo en hueso, con un detector 109 de rayos X-K-fluorescentes. Asimismo, se aplicó un cuestionario estandarizado y se obtuvo información sobre factores demográficos, estilo de vida, historia laboral, puesto de trabajo y actividad dentro de la empresa. Resultados. De 209 trabajadores, 117 aceptaron participar y 90 (83.3% de hombres y 16.7% de mujeres) completaron todas las fases del estudio. Las concentraciones promedio de plomo fueron: en aire, de 0.94 mg/m³; en manos antes del lavado, de 6 802 mg/m², y en manos después del lavado, de 194 mg/m² ;en sangre total, de 12.3 mg/dl, y en tibia y rótula, de 25.9 y 43.3 mg Pb/g hueso mineral, respectivamente. Se observaron variaciones importantes en estas mediciones de acuerdo con el puesto de trabajo. Conclusiones. Los niveles del plomo en sangre se han utilizado, en el mundo entero, para evaluar exposiciones agudas en el ambiente de trabajo. Los niveles altos de plomo en hueso que se encontraron en los trabajadores de este estudio son similares a los de otros estudios ocupacionales en Estados Unidos de América, y sugieren que el metal acumulado en el hueso puede ser una importante fuente de exposición endógena; de ahí la utilidad de su medición. Sin embargo, por el alto costo de su aplicación, en los países en desarrollo la medición de plomo en hueso está limitada a la investigación epidemiológica y no constituye un instrumento para la vigilancia epidemiológica ocupacional. En México, en el ámbito de la exposición ocupacional al plomo no existen estudios publicados que permitan establecer niveles máximos permisibles tanto ambientales como biológicos. Por medio de este estudio se intenta contribuir al establecimiento de una normatividad de plomo en sangre, que actualmente está en discusión en México.

To determine if exposure to organic solvents and noise is associated with audiometric results among workers from a printing press in Mexico City. Cross-sectional study. One hundred and seventy-six male workers at a printing press in Mexico City exposed to noise and organic solvents, including xylene, and 103 non-exposed male workers as reference group. Hearing thresholds were assessed with pure-tone audiometry. Poorer hearing thresholds were observed among printing workers than non-exposed controls, particularly among groups with over 5 years of exposure. Hearing thresholds differences were observed in the frequencies above 500 Hz, especially in 4000 Hz in all exposure groups compared to the reference. Adjusted models for age and previous exposure to noise and organic solvents showed worse hearing thresholds as years of seniority increased –β coefficients (95% CI): ≤5 years: 3.06 dB (0.01, 6.10); >5–10 years: 4.51 dB (1.13, 7.89); >10 years: 4.58 dB (1.20, 7.96). Further analyses showed no interaction between noise and organic solvents on hearing thresholds, considering both current and previous occupational exposures. Exposure to noise levels that were below recommended exposure limits and organic solvents were associated with poorer hearing thresholds than those observed among non-exposed study participants. This suggests that workers exposed to solvents should be included in hearing conservation programmes, even when noise exposures are below 85 dB. If only noise levels were taken into consideration in the risk assessment of this worker population, the risk of hearing effects could have been overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify blood lead predictors and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in firearm users of public security in Mexico.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 65 males. We obtained socio-occupational data and determined venous blood lead (blood (B), lead (Pb) - BPb), as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Q-16 questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to assess determinants of BPb.Results: The mean age in the study group was 34.8 years (standard deviation (SD) = 6.9, range: 21-60); the mean number of years spent in the company amounted to 14 years (SD = 8.5, range: 1-48). Twenty percent of the respondents (N = 13) used leaded glazed clay pottery (lead (Pb), glazed (G), and clay pottery (C) - PbGC) in the kitchen. During practice they fired a mean of 72 shots (SD = 60, range: 20-250), and during their whole duration of employment 5483 shots (SD = 8322.5, range: 200-50 000). The mean BPb was 7.6 μg/dl (SD = 6.8, range: 2.7-51.7). Two caretakers from the firing range had 29.6 μg/dl and 51.7 μg/dl BPb. The subjects who had shooting practice sessions ≥ 12 times a year reported a greater percentage of miscarriages in their partners (24% vs. 0%). Twelve percent of the respondents showed an increase in neuropsychiatric symptoms. The BPb multiple linear regression model explained R2 = 44.15%, as follows: those who had ≥ 12 practice sessions per year - β = 0.5339 and those who used PbGC - β = 0.3651.Conclusions: Using firearms and PbGC contributes to the increased BPb in the studied personnel. The determinants of BPb were: shooting practices >12 times a year and using PbGC. Blood lead concentrations reported in the study, despite being low, are a health risk, as evidenced by the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Salud Mental is the property of Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de la Fuente and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: to establish a blood lead quantification correlation from two occupational health laboratories (OHL1V and OHL2DF), and the ABC Hospital (LABC) metals laboratory. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed in 84 workers from a voltage regulators company, where lead is welded; in 54% (46 of them) a blood sample was taken and analyzed by OHL1V, and in 28.6% (24) by OHL2DF. All samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pearson correlation (r), coefficient of determination (r²), Lin (rho) concordance test, and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. Results: the blood lead mean: LABC was 5.8 ± 2.4 µg/dL vs. OHL2DF of 4.4 ± 3.6 µg/dL (r = 0.25 [p = 0.24], r² = 0.06 [p = 0.24], and rho = 0.21 [p = 0.21]). And with LABC, 6.75 ± 3.3 µg/dL vs. OHL1V 5.6 ± 2.9 mg/dL (r = 0.91 [p < 0.001], r² = 0.83 [p < 0001], and rho = 0.85 [p < 0.001]). Conclusions: agreement between LABC and OHL1V was poor (< 0.90), and with OHL2DF was null. An occupational health laboratory certification is needed in order to have reliable biological exposure index measurements in lead occupational exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sharps injuries are one of the most frequent health-care related accidents. It is estimated globally that 35 million workers are at risk; in Mexico there is no data available for this type of injuries. They are associated with lack of training, instrument and procedure risk, fatigue and stress. The occupational distribution is nurses 45 %, technicians 20 %, doctors 20 % and maintenance workers 5 %. The most commonly associated procedures are injection, venipuncture, suture, and insertion and manipulation of IV catheters. Hepatitis B is the most commonly transmitted agent. Emotional distress is huge as well as the cost of prophylaxis and follow-up. More than half of the injuries are not notified. The most common reasons for not reporting are: the belief that the exposure has low risk of infection, the lack of knowledge of reporting systems and the assumption that it is difficult to notify. Many strategies have been created to reduce the incidence of sharps injuries, such as: identifying the risk of blood exposure, the creation of politics to minimize the risk, the education and training to create a safe workplace, the enhancing of the reporting system, the use of double-gloving and using safety-engineered sharps devices. In many countries these politics have reduced the incidence of sharps injuries as well as the economic burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is mainly caused by asbestos exposure. For its diagnosis it is necessary to make a thorough occupational history, to analyze the clinical symptoms and auxiliary tests, being the most important computed tomography and biopsy, which is considered as the gold standard. Computed tomography is relevant because it is a non-invasive test that is usually done first and can lead to diagnostic suspicion for MMP. Treatment is mainly palliative even though chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery have been used, nevertheless prevention, through asbestos banning, is the only effective policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]