Cardiovascular disease, mortality and exposure to particulate matter (PM): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

One of the main factors that causes health effects in humans such as hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease (HACVD), respiratory disease (RD), lung function, cardiovascular mortality (MCVD), lung cancer, and increased mortality is air pollution especially particulate matter (PM). This a systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of particulate matter on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and mortality. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was done from 2011 to 2021 based on various databases. Based on the result of this study, subgroup analysis based on temperature conditions showed a different estimation in cold cities (6.24, UR (4.36-8.12)), moderate cities (4.86, UR (3.57-6.15)) and warm cities (8.96, UR (7.06-10.86)). Test of group differences showed a significant difference (Q=12.22, p-value<0.001). There was publication bias among the studies (the Egger's test; (Z=14.18, p<0.001)). According result study pooled estimation of AP% for MCVD from the random-effect meta-analysis based on DerSimonian-Laird model, overall is 5.04, UR (3.65-6.43) (Figure 4). Subgroup analysis based on temperature conditions showed the estimation in cold cities (5.47, UR (3.97-6.97)) and moderate cities (4.65, UR (0.54-8.77)). Test of group differences showed a non-significant difference (Q=0.13, p-value=0.71). There was no publication bias among the studies (the Egger's test; (Z=0.82, p=0.376)). Exposed to air pollutants and particulate matter can be increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cardiovascular mortality.

Evaluation of the influence of education on the ergonomic risk of concrete form workers.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, construction is a largely manual job that imposes awkward postures on workers, thus facilitating a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomic training is known as an effective way to reduce these disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomic training intervention in reducing the ergonomic risk of concrete form workers. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 144 concrete form workers employed in the construction projects of Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran, Iran. Data was collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (at the pre-intervention stage) and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) worksheet (at the pre- and post-intervention stages). Ergonomic training was provided via face-to-face educational meetings along with presenting informative pamphlets, which took place over 45 days duration of time. Data were analyzed by the use of SPSS software version 21, t-test and Wilcoxon test. Significant level was considered at P-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: Musculoskeletal disorders were observed in all limbs of the studied workers. The most prevalent disorders were the pain in the shoulder region of lift operators (86.1%) and the pain in the back area of mixer operators (77.8%). About 99.3% of all concrete form workers were exposed to a moderate level of ergonomic risk and needed posture correction. Pre- and post-training REBA scores showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the ergonomic training did reduce the ergonomic risk of workers, because of its short duration, it failed to reduce this risk to an acceptable level. It is recommended to hold both theoretical and practical training sessions over longer periods of time.

Neural Network-Based Clinical Prediction System for Identifying the Clinical Effects of Saffron (Crocus sativus L) Supplement Therapy on Allergic Asthma: Model Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is commonly associated with chronic airway inflammation and is the underlying cause of over a million deaths each year. Crocus sativus L, commonly known as saffron, when used in the form of traditional medicines, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects which may be beneficial to individuals with asthma. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a clinical prediction system using an artificial neural network to detect the effects of C sativus L supplements on patients with allergic asthma. METHODS: A genetic algorithm-modified neural network predictor system was developed to detect the level of effectiveness of C sativus L using features extracted from the clinical, immunologic, hematologic, and demographic information of patients with asthma. The study included data from men (n=40) and women (n=40) individuals with mild or moderate allergic asthma from 18 to 65 years of age. The aim of the model was to estimate and predict the level of effect of C sativus L supplements on each asthma risk factor and to predict the level of alleviation in patients with asthma. A genetic algorithm was used to extract input features for the clinical prediction system to improve its predictive performance. Moreover, an optimization model was developed for the artificial neural network component that classifies the patients with asthma using C sativus L supplement therapy. RESULTS: The best overall performance of the clinical prediction system was an accuracy greater than 99% for training and testing data. The genetic algorithm-modified neural network predicted the level of effect with high accuracy for anti-heat shock protein (anti-HSP), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), the ratio of FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow (FEF25%-75%) for testing data (anti-HSP: 96.5%; hs-CRP: 98.9%; FEV1: 98.1%; FVC: 97.5%; FEV1/FVC ratio: 97%; and FEF25%-75%: 96.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical prediction system developed in this study was effective in predicting the effect of C sativus L supplements on patients with allergic asthma. This clinical prediction system may help clinicians to identify early on which clinical factors in asthma will improve over the course of treatment and, in doing so, help clinicians to develop effective treatment plans for patients with asthma.

Face masks vs. COVID-19: a systematic review

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread rapidly around the world. Two types of approaches have been applied to use of face masks as a tool to prevent the spread this disease in society. The aim of the systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of face masks against the novel coronavirus. A literature search was performed using different databases until April 30, 2020. Search terms were 'facemasks', 'novel coronavirus', and 'healthcare workers'. Five studies were included in the systematic review. A study stated that no difference between surgical and cotton masks. Also, two studies have emphasized the use of surgical masks or N95 respirators by medical staff, and two other studies emphasized the use of any type of face mask by general public. More studies in controlled contexts and studies of infections in healthcare and community places are needed for better definition of the effectiveness of face masks in preventing coronavirus.

La enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) se propagó rápidamente por todo el mundo. Se han aplicado dos tipos de enfoques al uso de máscaras faciales como herramienta para prevenir la propagación de la enfermedad en la sociedad. El objetivo de la revisión sistemática fue evaluar la efectividad de las máscaras faciales contra el nuevo coronavirus. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica utilizando diferentes bases de datos hasta el 30 de abril de 2020. Los términos de búsqueda fueron: 'máscaras faciales', 'nuevo coronavirus' y 'trabajadores de la salud'. Se incluyeron cinco estudios en la revisión sistemática. Un estudio indicó que no hay diferencia entre las máscaras quirúrgicas y las de algodón. Además, dos estudios han enfatizado el uso de máscaras quirúrgicas o respiradores N95 por parte del personal médico, y otros dos estudios enfatizaron el uso de cualquier tipo de mascarilla por parte del público en general. Se necesitan más estudios en contextos controlados y estudios de infecciones en el cuidado de la salud y en lugares comunitarios para una mejor aclaración de la efectividad de las mascarillas para prevenir el coronavirus.

A doença de coronavírus (COVID-19) se espalhou rapidamente por todo o mundo. Dois tipos de abordagens foram aplicados ao uso de máscaras faciais como uma ferramenta para impedir a propagação da doença na sociedade. O objetivo da revisão sistemática foi avaliar a eficácia das máscaras faciais contra o novo coronavírus. Uma pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada usando diferentes bancos de dados até 30 de abril de 2020. Os termos de pesquisa foram: máscaras faciais ',' novo coronavírus 'e' profissionais de saúde '. Cinco estudos foram incluídos na revisão sistemática. Um estudo indicou que não há diferença entre máscaras cirúrgicas e máscaras de algodão. Além disso, dois estudos enfatizaram o uso de máscaras cirúrgicas ou respiradores N95 pelo pessoal médico e dois outros estudos enfatizaram o uso de qualquer tipo de máscara pelo público em geral. É necessário mais estudos em ambientes controlados e estudos de infecções nos serviços de saúde e na comunidade para esclarecer melhor a eficácia das máscaras na prevenção do coronavírus

Non-auditory effects of industrial chronic noise exposure on workers; change in salivary cortisol pattern.

BACKGROUND: Noise has different auditory and non-auditory effects on human. In noisy environments, noise as a non-specific stressor can activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA, cortisol). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic exposure to noise on salivary cortisol on industrial workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study had a case/control design. 136 male workers (68 workers were exposed to chronic industrial noise, and 68 other workers were exposed to background noise) voluntarily enrolled in the study. The equivalent noise level was measured at workstations and salivary cortisol for both case and control groups was measured at the beginning (6 AM) and also at the end of work shift (4 PM). The amount of change in the average of the values of the two groups were compared with each other. RESULTS: The measured Leq8h (equivalent continuous sound level) in case and control groups were 87.43 dB-A and 67.6 dB-A, respectively. Comparison of salivary cortisol levels change in groups shows a significant differences in control groups for salivary cortisol in the morning and in the evening samples (p < 0.05); but not in the case group (p = 0.052). Also, comparison of salivary cortisol levels changes with noise exposure experience in the case subgroups revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that chronic exposure to industrial noise can lead to a change in pattern of salivary cortisol secretion especially in the evening (at the end of the work shift), in a way that instead of its normal decrease, an increase happened.

Application of a TiO2 nanocomposite in earplugs: a case study of noise reduction.

Background. Use of hearing protection devices has become necessary when other control measures cannot reduce noise to a safe and standard level. In most countries, more effective hearing protection devices are in demand. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on noise reduction efficiency in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) earplug. Methods. An S-60 type PVC polymer as the main matrix and TiO2 of 30-nm size were used. The PVC/TiO2 nanocomposite was mixed at a temperature of 160 °C and 40 rpm and the samples were prepared with 0, 0.2 and 0.5 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticle concentrations. Results. Earplug samples with PVC/TiO2 (0.2, 0.5 wt%) nanoparticles, when compared with raw earplugs, showed almost equal noise attenuation at low frequencies (500-125 Hz). However, at high frequencies (2-8 kHz), the power of noise reduction for earplugs containing TiO2 nanoparticles was significantly increased. Conclusions. The results of the present study showed that samples containing nanoparticles of TiO2 had more noticeable noise reduction abilities at higher frequencies in comparison with samples without the nanoparticles.

Heat stress and physical capacity: a case study of semi-professional footballers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine heat stress effect on physical capacity of semi-professional footballers in Iran by means of oxygen consumption measurement, heart rate monitoring and WBGT assessment environmental conditions. METHODS: This study compared two different thermal environmental conditions related to sub-maximal exercise and its effect on human physical capacity. Thirty two male footballers (age 25.9 ± 1.4 year; height 176 ± 2.9 cm and weight 71 ± 9.8 kg) were investigated under four workloads (50,100,150 & 200 W) in two different thermal conditions in the morning (WBGT=21 °C) and afternoon (WBGT=33 °C) in summer. Each test cycle lasted for 10 minutes with a 10 min interval for recovery and rest between every workload. In the end of each stage, the heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and oral temperature were measured and recorded. Expired air was collected and its volume was measured using standard Douglas bags. The WBGT index was also used to monitor the stressful heat condition. RESULTS: Heart rate and VO2 consumption findings for different workload showed a significant difference between morning and afternoon (P<0.001). HR and VO2 consumption in both morning and afternoon courses showed a liner relation (r=0.88, r=0.9 respectively). CONCLUSION: With increasing work load beside heat stress, heart rate and oxygen consumption increased. It is recommended that with Ta>35 °C or WBGT>28 °C, physical activates and performing exercises should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of heat stress-related conditions in athletes.