Prevalence and Risk Factors of Occupational Skin Disease in Korean Workers from the 2014 Korean Working Conditions Survey

Prevalence of allergic symptoms and occupational allergic diseases among veterinary clinic workers

Purpose@#Veterinary clinic workers are frequently exposed to various animal allergens, increasing the possibility of occupational allergy. However, allergic symptoms in this group have not been studied extensively. We aim to investigate the prevalence of allergic symptoms and especially occupational allergic diseases in veterinary clinic workers. @*Methods@#A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The questionnaire for allergic symptoms was sent to the veterinary clinic workers in the Gyeongsangnam-do region and was collected for statistical analysis. Occupational asthma, rhinitis, or dermatitis were defined as the new onset or worsening of each symptom at work and improvement in the condition while away from the work. @*Results@#Ninety-five veterinary clinic workers participated in this study; 33.7% were male and their mean age was 33.7 years. Fiftytwo subjects (54.7%) experienced conjunctivitis symptoms along with rhinitis symptoms. Fifty-seven subjects (60.0%) experienced rhinitis symptoms, but not cold or flu, and 40% of the subjects were suspected of having occupational rhinitis. Forty subjects reported that they had lower respiratory symptoms, while 11 (11.6%) and 4 subjects (4.2%) had asthma and occupational asthma, respectively. Twenty-two subjects with respiratory symptoms complained of symptom worsening upon contact with animals, especially cats. Of 95 subjects, 31 had skin itching, 11 reported skin rash, and 6 had occupational dermatitis. There was no significant difference in the type of work performed by the study participants. @*Conclusion@#This study is the first to analyze the prevalence of allergic symptoms in veterinary clinic workers in Korea. The data can be employed for the prevention of occupational allergic diseases in veterinary clinic workers and can provide a basis for further studies.

Effects of dietary acetaminophen and vitamin C supplement on serum cortisol and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations in pigs vaccinated with foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

This study evaluated the effect of a combination of acetaminophen and vitamin C (CAV) on reducing serum cortisol and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in piglets vaccinated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. Piglets were vaccinated with FMD vaccine and treated with CAV at concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg/ton feed (P-CON, AD-1, AD-2, and AD-3, groups, respectively) for 5 days post-vaccination. Cortisol and TNF-α levels at 5 days post-treatment in the AD-1–3 groups were significantly lower than that in the P-CON group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between AD-2 and AD-3 groups and non-vaccinated, non-CAV-treated piglets.

Blood parameter changes in Korean traditional calves and pigs after foot-and-mouth disease vaccination

This study investigated changes in certain blood parameters in calves and pigs after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination. In this study, five calves and five pigs were selected from groups of 10 calves and pigs, respectively, and were vaccinated with an FMD vaccine. The remaining animals formed two non-treatment control groups. Blood samples were collected from all animals on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-vaccination. In the FMD-vaccinated calves and pigs on day 7 post-vaccination, white blood cell counts, blood urea nitrogen levels, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were higher than those in the respective controls. The present data suggested that the certain hemato-biochemical parameters on cattle and pigs were meaningfully changed between before and after FMD vaccination.

Changes in skin reactivity and associated factors in patients sensitized to house dust mites after 1 year of allergen-specific immunotherapy

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) can significantly improve symptoms and reduce the need for symptomatic medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in skin reactivity to house dust mites (HDMs) as an immunologic response and associated factors after 1 year of immunotherapy. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with allergic airway diseases who received subcutaneous SIT with HDMs from 2009 to 2014 were evaluated. The investigated parameters were basic demographic characteristics, skin reactivity and specific IgE for HDM, serum total IgE level, blood eosinophil counts, and medication score. RESULTS: The mean levels of skin reactivity to HDMs, blood eosinophil counts, and medication scores after 1 year were significantly reduced from baseline. In univariate comparison of the changes in skin reactivity to HDMs, age ≤30 years, HDMs only as target of immunotherapy, and high initial skin reactivity (≥2) to HDMs were significantly associated with the reduction in skin test reactivity. In multivariate analysis, high initial skin reactivity and HDMs only as target allergens were significantly associated with changes in skin reactivity to HDMs. In the receiver operating characteristic curve of the initial mean skin reactivity to HDMs for more than 50% reduction, the optimal cutoff value was 2.14. CONCLUSION: This study showed significant reductions in allergen skin reactivity to HDMs after 1 year of immunotherapy in patients sensitized to HDMs. The extent of initial allergen skin reactivity and only HDMs as target allergen were important predictive factors for changes in skin reactivity.

Analysis of antibiotic residues in milk from healthy dairy cows treated with bovine mastitis ointment using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

This study was conducted to analyze penicillin G (PEG), streptomycin (STR) and neomycin (NEO) residues in milk of healthy lactating cows. Milk samples were collected from all four quarters of 12 dairy cows 2–7 days after intramammary infusions of an ointment containing PEG, STR and NEO once (n = 4; group I) or twice (n = 4, group II) daily. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the antibiotic residues in the samples. The correlation coefficient (r 2) of the calibration curves for all antibiotics was > 0.999 and the limits of detection and quantification were 0.002–0.005 µg/mL and 0.007–0.02 µg/mL, respectively. Recovery rates were ranged from 75.5 to 92.3%. In group I, PEG, STR and NEO residues were detected in milk at 2, 3 and 2 days post-treatment, respectively, which were below the maximum residue limit (MRL). In group II, PEG, STR and NEO residues were detected in milk at 2, 3 and 3 days post-treatment, respectively, which were bellow the MRL. These results suggest that a 3-day for milk withdrawal period after the ointment treatment might be sufficient for reduction of the antibiotic residues below the MRL.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on noxious gas emission and carcass quality grade in finishing pigs / 동물의과학연구지

This study investigated the effects of LactoPlanta(R) (Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), 2.0 x 10(9) colony forming units (CFU)/kg) on reduction of noxious gas emission in pig houses as well as improvement of carcass weight and quality in finishing pigs. A total of 850 finishing pigs were assigned to four treatment groups: control (CON, basal diet) (n=190), LP-0.1, 0.1% LactoPlanta(R) (n=210), LP-0.2, 0.2% LactoPlanta(R) (n=230), and LP-0.4, 0.4% LactoPlanta(R) (n=220). Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to CON. Mercaptan contents and carcass weights of LP-0.2 and LP-0.4 were significantly decreased compared to CON, whereas there were no significant differences between LP-0.1 and CON. Carcass weight of LP-0.1 was slightly higher than that of CON, but there was no significant difference. However, carcass weights of LP-0.2 and LP-0.4 were significantly higher than that of CON (P<0.05). The prevalence of grade A carcasses in groups administered with L. plantarum (46.7~63.3%) was higher than that in CON (43.3%) and increased in a dose-dependent manner. Based on the results of this study, L. plantarum could be an effective candidate to reduce noxious gas emissions in finishing pig houses as well as improve carcass weight and quality in finishing pigs.

Lung Function Profiles among Individuals with Nonmalignant Asbestos-related Disorders

BACKGROUND: Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to adverse health effects on the lungs. This study describes lung function profiles among individuals with nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). METHODS: The study population was from the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Lung function measurements were conducted in males with asbestosis (n = 26), diffuse pleural thickening (DPT; n = 129), asbestosis and DPT (n = 14), pleural plaques only (n = 160) and also apparently healthy individuals with a history of asbestos exposure (n = 248). Standardized spirometric and single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measurements were used. RESULTS: Mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 66.7 (10.3) years for all participants. Current and ex-smokers among all participants comprised about 9.0% and 54.8%, respectively. Median pack-years (SD) of smoking for ex- and current-smokers were 22.7 (19.9). Overall 222 participants (38.6%) and 139 participants (24.2%) had forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements < 80% predicted, and 217 participants (37.7%) had FEV1/FVC results < 70%. A total of 249 individuals (43.8%) had DLco values < 80% predicted and only 75 (13.2%) had DLco/VA results < 80% predicted. A total of 147 participants (25.6%) had peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements < 80% predicted. The presence of ARDs lowered the lung function measurements compared to those of healthy individuals exposed to asbestos. CONCLUSION: Lung function measurement differs in individuals with different ARDs. Monitoring of lung function among asbestos-exposed populations is a simple means of facilitating earlier interventions.

Antibacterial and therapeutic effects of a combination of Sophora flavescens and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer ethanol extracts on mice infected with Streptococcus pyogenes / 대한수의학회지

This study evaluated the antibacterial effects of a mixture of Sophorae radix and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (1 : 1) ethanol extracts (SGE) on mice infected with Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of SGE necessary for antibacterial effects against S. pyogenes were 20 microg/mL. Based on the time-kill curves for S. pyogenes, SGE was effective at 4x MIC after 16 h. On Day 12 after challenge, the survival rate of mice treated with 2.0 mg/kg SGE was 60%. In conclusion, SGE had potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities against S. pyogenes.

Antibacterial and therapeutic effects of a combination of Sophora flavescens and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer ethanol extracts on mice infected with Streptococcus pyogenes / 대한수의학회지

This study evaluated the antibacterial effects of a mixture of Sophorae radix and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (1 : 1) ethanol extracts (SGE) on mice infected with Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of SGE necessary for antibacterial effects against S. pyogenes were 20 microg/mL. Based on the time-kill curves for S. pyogenes, SGE was effective at 4x MIC after 16 h. On Day 12 after challenge, the survival rate of mice treated with 2.0 mg/kg SGE was 60%. In conclusion, SGE had potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities against S. pyogenes.

Therapeutic effects of combination of Galla rhois extract and Sodium chlorate on Mice infected with Brucella abortus / 동물의과학연구지

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Galla rhois (GR) ethanol extract (GRE), sodium chlorate (SC), and a combination of GRE and SC on mice infected with Brucella abortus (B. abortus). Mice were infected intraperitoneally with B. abortus and then treated with GRE, SC, and a combination GRE and SC in drinking water for 14 days. Then, serum antibodies were used in a tube agglutination test (TAT), after which the weight and CFUs from each spleen were measured. In addition, histopathological changes in each liver were examined at 14 days post-infection. At 14 days post-infection, negative reactions of serum antibodies in PC (positive control), SCT (SC 1.6 g/L drinking water), GRT (GRE 200 mg/L drinking water), and GST (GRE 200 mg + SC 1.6 g/L drinking water) were 0, 40, 60, and 80%, respectively. The average spleen weight was not significantly different between the groups. At 14 days post-infection, bacterial numbers in all treated groups were significantly lower compared to to that of the PC (GRT and SCT, P<0.05; GST, P<0.001). In terms of histopathological changes in the livers, there were numerous multifocal microgranulomas in the PC, whereas this number successively decreased in the SCT, GRT, and GST groups. Conclusively, a combination of GRE and SC exhibits therapeutic effects on mice infected with B. abortus. These results suggest the potential efficacy of a mixture of GRE and SC in the treatment of brucellosis.

Comparison of blood concentration for oral administration of micronized and non-micronized amoxicillin in Sprague-Dawley rats / 동물의과학연구지

Amoxicillin, a well-known antibiotic, has a broad spectrum against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of micronized and non-micronized amoxicillin prepared using different comminution techniques on change in blood concentration of rats. Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats (6~7 weeks of age, body weight 128.3 +/- 10.7 g) were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: micronized amoxicillin (MA) group treated with micronized amoxicillin trihydrate powder (particle size, over 90% of 10 microm), non-micronized amoxicillin (NMA) group treated with non-micronized amoxicillin trihydrate powder (particle size, over 70% of 100 microm), given 480 mg/kg body weight once daily for four days. The results showed a significant increase in serum concentration in the MA group on days 3 and 4, compared to the NMA group (P<0.05). In particular, serum concentration of the MA group on day 4 was increased almost two times that of the NMA group. The results indicate that due to the increase of the drug's oral bioavailability, higher serum concentration would be achieved with the micronized amoxicillin trihydrate than with the non-micronized drug.

Hazardous Metal Pollution in the Republic of Fiji and the Need to Elicit Human Exposure

The fact that hazardous metals do not bio-degrade or bio-deteriorate translates to long-lasting environmental effects. In the context of evidently rapid global industrialization, this ought to warrant serious caution, particularly in developing countries. In the Republic of Fiji, a developing country in the South Pacific, several different environmental studies over the past 20 years have shown levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron in sediments of the Suva Harbor to be 6.2, 3.9, 3.3 and 2.1 times more than the accepted background reference levels, respectively. High levels of mercury have also been reported in lagoon shellfish. These data inevitably warrant thorough assessment of the waste practices of industries located upstream from the estuaries, but in addition, an exposure and health impact assessment has never been conducted. Relevant government departments are duty-bound, at least to the general public that reside in and consume seafood from the vicinities of the Suva Harbor, to investigate possible human effects of the elevated hazardous metal concentrations found consistently in 20 years of surface sediment analysis. Furthermore, pollution of the intermediate food web with hazardous metals should be investigated, regardless of whether human effects are eventually confirmed present or not.

Awareness of Asbestos and Action Plans for Its Exposure can Help Lives Exposed to Asbestos

Despite the fact that asbestos is a known carcinogen to humans, it is still used in industrialized countries, especially Asian countries. The global incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) due to the past use of asbestos, continues to increase, although many countries have adopted a total ban on asbestos use. The implementation of effective strategies to eliminate ARDs is therefore an important challenge in Asia, where asbestos is still mined and consumed. Collaborative efforts and strategies at the local and international levels are vital, in the pursuit toward the elimination of ARDs in this region.

Association of Biomarker Levels with Severity of Asbestos-Related Diseases

OBJECTIVES: Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have increased globally over the decades, causing an economic burden and increased health care costs. It is difficult to predict the risk of development of ARDs and of respiratory disability among workers with a history of asbestos exposure. Blood based biomarkers have been reported as promising tools for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma. This study investigated whether serum soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) would reflect severity of disablement in compensable ARDs. METHODS: SMRP levels were measured in a cohort of 514 asbestos-exposed subjects. Severity of ARDs was assessed by a Medical Authority comprising four specially qualified respiratory physicians. Severity of ARDs and SMRP levels were compared. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) serum SMRP level in the population with compensable ARDs (n = 150) was 0.95 (0.65) nmol/L, and was positively associated with disability assessment (p = 0.01). Mean SMRP level in healthy asbestos-exposed subjects was significantly lower than those with pleural plaques (p < 0.0001) and in subjects with ARDs who received compensation (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that serum SMRP levels correlate with severity of compensable ARDs. Serum SMRP could potentially be applied to monitor progress of ARDs. Further prospective work is needed to confirm the relationship between SMRP and disability assessment in this population.