1,721,324 research outputs found
The Impact of a Change in Employment on Three Work-Related Diseases: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study of 10,530 Belgian Employees
Full text linkBACKGROUND: The literature that has investigated to what extent a change in employment contributes to good health is contradictory or shows inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between a change in employment and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neuropsychological diseases in a sample of 10,530 Belgian workers in a seven-year follow-up study period. METHODS: The following factors were analysed: Demographic variables, a change in employment and the work-related risks. Individuals being on medication for cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychological diseases were used as proxies for the three health issues. Logistic regression models for autocorrelated data with repeated measures were used to examine each medication type. RESULTS: A change in employment and psychosocial load can have an important effect on the health of cardiovascular employees. Demographic variables, such as BMI and age, are risk factors for all three medications. Repetitive, manual tasks, handling static, exposure to noise levels of 87 dB, mechanical and/or manual handling with loads, and shift work were found to be positively associated with medications taken for musculoskeletal diseases. Exposure to noise 80 dB(A), managing physical loads and night work were found to be associated with being on medication for neuropsychological diseases. Physical activity and skill levels were considered to be protective factors for being on medication for neuropsychological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Change in employment and psychosocial load were found as two important risk factors for being on medication for cardiovascular (CVD). Dealing with loads, doing shift work and being daily exposed to the noise of 87 dB correlated with being on medication for musculoskeletal (MSD). Dealing with physical loads, doing night work and being exposed to the noise of 80 dB were risk factors for being on medication for neuropsychological (NPD). While doing physical activity and reporting higher skill levels were found to be protective factors for NPD.status: Publishe
The Race to Retain Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review on Factors that Impact Retention of Nurses and Physicians in Hospitals
Full text linkThe shortage of healthcare workers is a growing problem across the globe. Nurses and physicians, in particular, are vulnerable as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding why they might leave is imperative for improving retention. This systematic review explores both the prevalence of nurses and physicians who are intent on leaving their position at hospitals in European countries and the main determinants influencing job retention among nurses and physicians of their respective position in a hospital setting in both European and non-European countries. A comprehensive search was fulfilled within 3 electronic databases on June 3rd 2021. In total 345 articles met the inclusion criteria. The determinants were categorized into 6 themes: personal characteristics, job demands, employment services, working conditions, work relationships, and organizational culture. The main determinants for job retention were job satisfaction, career development and work-life balance. European and non-European countries showed similarities and differences in determinants influencing retention. Identifying these factors supports the development of multifactorial interventions, which can aid the formulation of medical strategies and help to maximize retention.sponsorship: European Commission|Topic: PJ-01-2020-1, Type of action: HP-PJ, SEP-21status: Publishe
Toxicologische relevantie van agglomeraten en aggregaten van nanodeeltjes: een stap naar een toxicologisch relevante definitie van nanomaterialen
No full textIntroduction and Background:
Nanotechnology is one of the fastest growing technologies in the current century and is applied in many aspects of our daily life as Manufactured Nanoparticles (MNPs) or as Manufactured Nanomaterials (MNMs), e.g. in cosmetics and skin care products, clothing, food additives, waste water treatment, specific drug delivery in the body etc. Growing production and use of Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) increased the risk of human exposures and raised the global concern over the potential adverse effects of MNMs. In real world applications and in exposure scenarios, MNMs also exist as aggregates and/or agglomerates (AA) of primary particles with one or more external dimensions in the size range of 1 to 100 nm. However, the biological behaviour/toxicity of the AA is not explored in detail. In addition, the current EU definition for the MNM also comprised of AA, but its toxicological relevance is not verified. Such a discrepancy, not only affecting the risk assessment of MNMs but also hamper the application of regulations and the development of guidelines to monitor SNPs in products and goods.
Methods:
The nano-silica (nSiO2) will be used as a model to evaluate the influence of AA on toxicity and for size distribution, nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO2) will be used. In in vitro studies, MNMs will be exposed to human cell lines such as pulmonary human cell lines (e.g.16 HBE), intestinal cell lines (e.g. Caco2 cells) and macrophages (derived from monocytes THP-1). At the end of exposure, end points such as markers of inflammation (ELISA), oxidative stress (glutathione content) and genotoxicity (comet assay) will be assessed. For in-vivo studies, Swiss albino male mice will be exposed to MNM at different doses and sacrificed at different time points. At the end of exposure, the cells (lung, BAL, blood) will be routinely processed for comet assay to determine the genotoxic potential and, to investigate the other biological end points such as tissue damage, translocation of nanomaterial, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Expected outcomes:
From the results of in vitro and in vivo studies, the influence of MNM AA and size distribution on toxicity will be compared and analysed. The biological responses due to chronic MNM exposure will also be evaluated. Furthermore, a better understanding of MNM interference at the biological barriers and potential to translocate across these barriers will be established. Subsequently, this project will contribute to build knowledge on the potential risk of MNM for the environment and for human beings, such that a safer use of these materials can be implemented. Building knowledge in this area is one of the prerequisite to safer design and further improvement of the nanotechnologies.status: Publishe
Epigenetische effecten van laagste blootstelling aan koolstofnanobuizen en asbest
No full textAsbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals. Depending on the physical properties of the asbestos fibres, two main groups are distinguished, especially the amphiboles and serpentines. Amphiboles include amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos). These fibres are straight and needle-like. Serpentines include chrysotile (white asbestos) these are curled fibres. These types of asbestos were used in large quantities in industry in the 20th century. All three of the above types of asbestos can induce cancer, more specific inhalation of asbestos fibres leads to lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) a new class of nanomaterials made up of circular hollow graphene layers with physicochemical properties related to asbestos. Due to their fibrous structure and small diameter, they can also be inhaled and induce toxicity in the lung and one type has identified to be a ‘possible’ carcinogen by IARC (MWCNT-7). CNTs are classified according to the number of layers in their structure: single walled CNTs or SWCNTs and multi-walled (CNTs) or MWCNTS.
Epigenetics is a relatively young research field in toxicology. Epigenetics is defined as "stable hereditary phenotype due to changes in a chromosome without changes in the DNA sequence" (Berger et al., 2009). The epigenetic mechanisms include mechanisms of DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA induction / inhibition. These epigenetic endpoints can also be used as biomarkers for exposure or disease.status: Publishe
Op weg naar een toxicologisch relevante definitie van nanomaterialen
No full textIntroduction and Background:
Nanotechnology is one of the fastest growing technologies in the current century and is applied in many aspects of our daily life as Manufactured Nanoparticles (MNPs) or as Manufactured Nanomaterials (MNMs), e.g. in cosmetics and skin care products, clothing, food additives, waste water treatment, specific drug delivery in the body etc. Growing production and use of Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) increased the risk of human exposures and raised the global concern over the potential adverse effects of MNMs. In real world applications and in exposure scenarios, MNMs also exist as aggregates and/or agglomerates (AA) of primary particles with one or more external dimensions in the size range of 1 to 100 nm. However, the biological behaviour/toxicity of the AA is not explored in detail. In addition, the current EU definition for the MNM also comprised of AA, but its toxicological relevance is not verified. Such a discrepancy, not only affecting the risk assessment of MNMs but also hamper the application of regulations and the development of guidelines to monitor SNPs in products and goods.
Methods:
The nano-silica (nSiO2) will be used as a model to evaluate the influence of AA on toxicity and for size distribution, nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO2) will be used. In in vitro studies, MNMs will be exposed to human cell lines such as pulmonary human cell lines (e.g.16 HBE), intestinal cell lines (e.g. Caco2 cells) and macrophages (derived from monocytes THP-1). At the end of exposure, end points such as markers of inflammation (ELISA), oxidative stress (glutathione content) and genotoxicity (comet assay) will be assessed. For in-vivo studies, Swiss albino male mice will be exposed to MNM at different doses and sacrificed at different time points. At the end of exposure, the cells (lung, BAL, blood) will be routinely processed for comet assay to determine the genotoxic potential and, to investigate the other biological end points such as tissue damage, translocation of nanomaterial, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Expected outcomes:
From the results of in vitro and in vivo studies, the influence of MNM AA and size distribution on toxicity will be compared and analysed. The biological responses due to chronic MNM exposure will also be evaluated. Furthermore, a better understanding of MNM interference at the biological barriers and potential to translocate across these barriers will be established. Subsequently, this project will contribute to build knowledge on the potential risk of MNM for the environment and for human beings, such that a safer use of these materials can be implemented. Building knowledge in this area is one of the prerequisite to safer design and further improvement of the nanotechnologies.status: Published onlin
Effects of exposure to environmental factors on obesity-related growth parameters and leptin (LEP) methylation in children
No full textThe prevalence of childhood obesity is rapidly increasing. Therefore, gaining more information on the role of environmental parameters is key. With overexpression of leptin (encoded by LEP) in obesity, LEP methylation might be altered by environmental exposures. This study aims to assess effects of ambient air pollution and nearby greenness on obesity-related growth and LEP methylation in early childhood. We monitored 120 motherchild pairs from conception until the age of five. Buccal swabs and anthropometric measurements of the children were taken at six months, one year, and five years old. Buccal DNA was extracted to determine LEP methylation levels. Estimates of air pollution and nearby greenness were calculated using high-resolution models. Effects of air pollution and nearby greenness on growth or LEP methylation were investigated using linear mixed effects models. Positive associations were shown for air pollution between conception and age one on impedance in sixmonth-olds and one-year-olds in the crude model. PM with aerodynamic diameter <= 10 (PM10) and <= 2.5 mu m (PM2.5) positively associated with waist-hip-ratio and waist circumference at age five in the fully adjusted model. In early childhood, closest distance to forest negatively, and urban green and forest positively associated with weight-for-length, body mass index, and fat percentage in five-year-olds in the fully adjusted model. No significant associations for noise, and walkability on growth were seen. Negative associations were shown for smaller green clusters and positive associations for greater green clusters on LEP methylation in one-year-olds. For forest distance, walkability, noise, or all green on LEP methylation, no significant associations were found. Evidence is provided that ambient air pollution might have a significant effect on impedance and waisthip-ratio, suggesting an increased risk of childhood obesity. Based on LEP methylation, greater green clusters might associate with a decreased risk of childhood obesity, while smaller green clusters showed the opposite.Funding
This work was supported by The Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO) [12W8618N; http://www.fwo.be/].
Acknowlegdements
Evi De Ryck and Manosij Ghosh are supported by fund by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 874703. Roland Devlieger is the beneficiary of a Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) clinical mandate (1803316N). Sara Pauwels is the beneficiary of a post-doctoral fellowship (12W8618N) provided by FWO and the Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO). This article is partially based on the following master’s thesis: “Impact van blootstelling aan luchtvervuiling en omgevingsfactoren op DNA methylatie en groei in kinderen (Impact of exposure to air pollution and environmental factors on DNA methylation and growth in children)” by De Ryck, E. at KU Leuven, Belgium
Analyse van huidblootstelling aan vluchtige organische stoffen: methode ontwikkeling, validatie en toepassing
No full textExposure to noxious agents can be considered if there is contact of a hazardous material with the outer boundary of a subject: including respiratory system, digestive system and skin. Occupational exposure of workers plays an important role in the development of several diseases. Exposure to occupational agents, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), diisocyanates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is known to induce skin, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. In this project, we will address unanswered questions on the measurement of dermal exposure, by developing reliable, robust and sensitive quantitative methodologies for assessment of skin exposure to hazardous materials. This will allow to quantify actual skin exposure and estimate the contribution of skin exposure to whole body burden of chemicals exposure (lung and gastrointestinal). In this doctoral research project, we want to improve and to overcome current gaps in the assessment of dermal exposure via these steps: 1/ development of analytical methods for quantitative analysis of dermal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), diisocyanates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs); 2/ validation of dermal patches as reliable, robust and sensitive quantitative monitors, for the assessment of dermal exposure to VOCs, diisocyanates and PAHs; 3/ characterize the dermal exposure in addition to simultaneous assessment of the respiratory exposure (air monitoring) and the actual entrance into the body of selected target compounds (urinary determination of specific metabolites) in different work setting. The expected outcomes of this research project are validated methods and patches to assess dermal exposure to VOCs, diisocyanates and PAHs which can be implemented in routine occupational hygiene risk analysis.status: Publishe
Dietary intake of methyl-group carriers and breast cancer risk : compilation of nutrient databases and findings from epidemiological studies
No full textScreenen voor het risico op langdurig ziekteverzuim: ontwikkeling & validatie van een vragenlijst voor de ondersteuning van re-integratie
No full textThe center for environment and health examines the impact of environmental factors such as occupational health. An important part of this research is the prevention of long-term sickness absence. In this context, a questionnaire will be developed and implemented to promote rehabilitation and to standardise the follow-up procedure of sick-listed persons. The questionnaire will be administered to the sick listed persons during the second month of disability. The questionnaire will be evaluated in a pilot study with the aim of long-term implementation and to measure the effects on reintegration. The project will be executed in close cooperation with RIZIV and ULG university of Liège.status: Publishe
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