1
|
Ekman J, Quartey P, Ussif AM, Ricklund N, Egbenya DL, Wiafe GA, Tsegah KM, Karikari A, Löfstedt H, Djankpa FT. Dynamics of pre-shift and post-shift lung function parameters among wood workers in Ghana. Ann Occup Environ Med 2023; 35:e39. [PMID: 37928378 PMCID: PMC10621010 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diseases affecting the lungs and airways contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The problem in low- and middle-income countries appears to be exacerbated by a shift in global manufacturing base to these countries and inadequate enforcement of environmental and safety standards. In Ghana, the potential adverse effects on respiratory function associated with occupational wood dust exposure have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods Sixty-four male sawmill workers and 64 non-woodworkers participated in this study. The concentration of wood dust exposure, prevalence and likelihood of association of respiratory symptoms with wood dust exposure and changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in association with wood dust exposure were determined from dust concentration measurements, symptoms questionnaire and lung function test parameters. Results Sawmill workers were exposed to inhalable dust concentration of 3.09 ± 0.04 mg/m3 but did not use respirators and engaged in personal grooming habits that are known to increase dust inhalation. The sawmill operators also showed higher prevalence and likelihoods of association with respiratory symptoms, a significant cross-shift decline in some PFT parameters and a shift towards a restrictive pattern of lung dysfunction by end of daily shift. The before-shift PFT parameters of woodworkers were comparable to those of non-woodworkers, indicating a lack of chronic effects of wood dust exposure. Conclusions Wood dust exposure at the study site was associated with acute respiratory symptoms and acute changes in some PFT parameters. This calls for institution and enforcement of workplace and environmental safety policies to minimise exposure at sawmill operating sites, and ultimately, decrease the burden of respiratory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Ekman
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Philip Quartey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Abdala Mumuni Ussif
- Department of Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Niklas Ricklund
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Business, Science and Engineering, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Daniel Lawer Egbenya
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Gideon Akuamoah Wiafe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Korantema Mawuena Tsegah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Akua Karikari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Håkan Löfstedt
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Francis Tanam Djankpa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ivanova N, Sotirova Y, Gavrailov G, Nikolova K, Andonova V. Advances in the Prophylaxis of Respiratory Infections by the Nasal and the Oromucosal Route: Relevance to the Fight with the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:530. [PMID: 35335905 PMCID: PMC8953301 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the strategies for prevention of the infection are a primary concern. Looking more globally on the subject and acknowledging the high degree of misuse of protective face masks from the population, we focused this review on alternative pharmaceutical developments eligible for self-defense against respiratory infections. In particular, the attention herein is directed to the nasal and oromucosal formulations intended to boost the local immunity, neutralize or mechanically "trap" the pathogens at the site of entry (nose or mouth). The current work presents a critical review of the contemporary methods of immune- and chemoprophylaxis and their suitability and applicability in topical mucosal dosage forms for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Ivanova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (Y.S.); (G.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Yoana Sotirova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (Y.S.); (G.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Georgi Gavrailov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (Y.S.); (G.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Krastena Nikolova
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria;
| | - Velichka Andonova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (Y.S.); (G.G.); (V.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pham CT, Hashemi K, Hedayati B, Csuka E, Babadjouni A, Mamaghani T, Wikenheiser J, Juhasz M, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Measurement and quantification of cadaveric nasal hairs. Int J Dermatol 2021; 61:e456-e457. [PMID: 34636419 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine T Pham
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kiana Hashemi
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Bobak Hedayati
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ella Csuka
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Arash Babadjouni
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Tiana Mamaghani
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jamie Wikenheiser
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Margit Juhasz
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hutchison DM, Hernandez K, Park A, Hakimi AA, Mesinkovska NA, Kuan EC, Beumer W, Wong BJF. Variation of Vibrissal Density in Sinonasal Surgery Patients. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med 2021; 24:445-446. [PMID: 34520237 DOI: 10.1089/fpsam.2021.0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Hutchison
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Kelly Hernandez
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Asher Park
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Amir A Hakimi
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Natasha A Mesinkovska
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Edward C Kuan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Wolfgang Beumer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Brian J F Wong
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Samueli School of Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stoddard DG, Pallanch JF, Hamilton GS. The effect of vibrissae on subjective and objective measures of nasal obstruction. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2016; 29:373-7. [PMID: 26358350 DOI: 10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasal congestion and/or obstruction represents a prevalent and extensively studied problem. No published research exists that describes the impact of nasal hair (vibrissae) on nasal obstruction. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of nasal vibrissae on subjective and objective measurements of nasal obstruction. METHODS In this prospective study, 30 healthy participants without nasal symptoms were assessed for baseline vibrissae density and were treated with a topical decongestant. The subjects were then asked to subjectively assess nasal breathing by using four questions from the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation instrument before undergoing rhinomanometry. Nasal vibrissae were then trimmed, and the participants repeated the subjective and objective assessments. Pre- and postintervention outcomes, including symptom scores, nasal airflow, and resistance, were compared by using statistical analysis. RESULTS Statistically significant improvement was noted in subjects' nasal airway specific symptom scores and in objective measurements of their nasal airway. Patients with moderate or many vibrissae at baseline were noted to have greater likelihood of improvement in subjective and objective obstruction assessments than patients rated with few. CONCLUSION In these 30 subjects, statistically significant improvement occurred in both subjective and objective assessments of nasal obstruction, particularly in patients with greater density of vibrissae. These findings support further study of the potential benefit of the reduction of vibrissae density in some patients with nasal obstruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David G Stoddard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Comert S, Karakaya G, Kalyoncu AF. Wraparound eyeglasses improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2016; 6:722-30. [DOI: 10.1002/alr.21737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sule Comert
- Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; School of Medicine, Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| | - Gul Karakaya
- Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; School of Medicine, Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| | - Ali Fuat Kalyoncu
- Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; School of Medicine, Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Madsen AM, Tendal K, Thilsing T, Frederiksen MW, Baelum J, Hansen JV. Fungi, β-glucan, and bacteria in nasal lavage of greenhouse workers and their relation to occupational exposure. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 57:1030-40. [PMID: 23749501 PMCID: PMC3796760 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/met019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The nose and mouth are the first regions of the respiratory tract in contact with airborne microorganisms. Occupational exposures to airborne microorganisms are associated with inflammation and different symptoms of the airways. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between occupational exposure to fungi, β-glucan, and bacteria and contents of fungi, β-glucan, and bacteria in nasal lavage (NAL) of greenhouse workers. We also studied whether contents of microorganisms in NAL were related to gender, time of the work week, and runny nose. NAL samples (n = 135) were taken Monday morning and Thursday at noon and personal exposure to inhalable bioaerosols was measured during a working day. The content of fungi and β-glucan in NAL of men was affected by their exposure to fungi and β-glucan. The content of fungi, β-glucan, and bacteria in NAL was higher Thursday at noon than Monday morning. The ratios of fungi in NAL between Thursday at noon and Monday morning were 14 (median value) for men and 3.5 for women. Gender had no effect on the exposure level but had a significant effect on the content of fungi, β-glucan, and bacteria in NAL, with the highest contents in NAL of men. On Thursdays, the median content of fungi in NAL samples of men without runny noses was 9408 cfu per NAL sample, whereas the same content for women was 595 cfu per NAL sample. Workers with runny noses had fewer fungi in NAL than workers without runny noses. A higher content of β-glucan per fungal spore was found in NAL than in the air. This indicates that mainly the larger fungal spores or pollen grains deposit in the nose. The difference between genders and the fact that the content of fungi in NAL was significantly affected by the exposure indicate that the two genders are affected by the same exposure level differently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Madsen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|