The Effect of PCDH15 Gene Variations on the Risk of Noise-induced Hearing Loss in a Chinese Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a complex disease caused by interactions between environmental and genetic factors. This study investigated whether genetic variability in protocadherin related 15 (PCDH15) underlies an increased susceptibility to the development of NIHL in a Chinese population. The results showed that compared with the TT genotype of rs11004085, CT/CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of NIHL [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-6.11, P = 0.024]. Additionally, significant interactions between the rs11004085 and rs978842 genetic variations and noise exposure were observed in the high-level exposure groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the risk haplotype TAGCC was observed when combined with higher levels of noise exposure (P < 0.05). Thus, our study confirms that genetic variations in PCDH15 modify the susceptibility to NIHL development in humans.

Analysis of occupational stress in workers of a steel plant / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate level and its influential factors of occupational stressors and strains in workers of a steel plant and explore the feasibility of occupational stress and mental health as indicators of effect evaluation of health promotion at workplace.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>1039 workers were investigated by using cross-sectional method. The questionnaires included job stressors, skill discretion, job control latitude, mental health and sleep disorders.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>54.5% of respondents reported "job doesn't allow mistakes" as stressor, while 47.6% of respondents reported "too job responsibility" as stressor. The scores of job stressors were significantly higher than female workers (P<0.01). Workers with high education level scored more skill discretion, job control latitude and lower mental health than ones with low educational level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Elder workers had more skill discretion and job control latitude scores than younger. There were significant differences in scores of skill discretion among different length of service groups (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in scores of skill discretion among different job title groups (P<0.01). Occupational stressors were correlated significantly positively with sleep disorder (r=0.37, P<0.01), but job control latitude negatively to mental health (r=-0.19, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The workers in the steel plant report occupational stressors, which is related to poor self-reported health symptoms. The occupational stressors and mental health should be considered as one of effect evaluation indicators of health promotion at workplace.</p>