Journal of UOEH最新文献

This study aimed to reveal how the recent COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of children with disabilities receiving child developmental support and after-school day services. A survey questionnaire was sent to 1,003 facility managers, and 276 (27.5%) responded. After excluding invalid responses, 239 valid responses were received (valid response rate: 86.6%). A total of 62 (25.9%) offices responded that the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic caused instability or worsening of children's mental health. The data were analyzed to compare the differences between facilities where children's mental health was unstable and those where it was not. The findings of this study highlighted the relationship between the mental well-being of children with disabilities receiving support and services at the facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mental stress caused by anxiety and environmental changes related to the pandemic may have adversely affected the children who used those services. The study's results offer guidance on how child developmental support and after-school day services can implement infection control in the future.

The comorbidity of mental and physical illnesses is on the rise, particularly with the co-occurrence of major depression (MD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with DM exhibit a significantly elevated risk for MD, with the interplay of inflammatory responses, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, oxidative stress, and abnormalities within the kynurenine pathway contributing to the pathophysiology of both diseases. Inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor abnormalities have emerged as critical factors common to MD and T2DM. Effective pharmacological treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are available, with CBT demonstrating particularly beneficial effects on medication adherence and glycemic control. This review aims to elucidate the complex interplay between MD and T2DM, highlighting the shared mechanisms of pathophysiology and their therapeutic implications, ultimately informing clinical practice for better management of comorbid conditions.

Corneal refractive surgery (CRS) is gaining recognition these days as a choice to correct refractive errors permanently, and the aviation community is no exception. Although studies have revealed that the number of pilots who have undergone CRS is relatively small, it is still deemed important to have knowledge about the intermediate and long-term visual outcomes after CRS, as vision is very important for pilots to ensure flight safety during their duty. This literature review elaborates the effect of CRS on contrast sensitivity, refractive regression, and dry eye, as these components are related to the quality of vision. We conducted a literature review by searching on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct with relevant keywords. We found that each variety of CRS has its own effects regarding contrast sensitivity, refractive regression, and dry eye, both for immediate and long-term effects following the surgery. Factors in the work environment of pilots, such as hypobaric hypoxia, low humidity, and ergonomic factors also have an influence on those visual outcomes. To conclude, we suggest several clinical practices for aviation medicine specialists for management of pilots with a history of CRS or a plan to have the surgery.

Work with night shifts has been reported to have a variety of negative health effects. Self-rated health is an important indicator of health, yet studies regarding the relationship of work with night shifts on self-rated health have reported inconsistent findings. The present study aimed to examine that relationship. We conducted a prospective cohort study using a self-administered online questionnaire on workers aged 20 years or older in Japan. The relationship between work with night shifts and self-rated health was examined by logistic regression analysis. Compared with participants who work without night shifts, the odds ratio of poor self-rated health was significantly higher among participants who work with night shifts (odds ratio: 1.19), after adjusting for age, sex, annual household income, industry category and self-rated health at baseline. The present study suggests that self-rated health, a commonly used simple and general indicator of health effects, can be used for workers with night shifts.

Every finding during a neck autopsy may be essential for accurately diagnosing and explaining the mechanism of death. In this prospective study in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Jordan University Hospital, 17 out of 95 neck autopsies revealed contusions of the laryngeal mucosa in the vocal or perivocal area. These contusions were found to be associated with various causes of death, including mechanical asphyxia (such as throttling, ligature strangulation, hanging, smothering, choking, plastic bag asphyxia, gagging, and inhalation of blood) and other causes (such as atypical drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, head injury due to a road traffic accident, burns, electrocution, and brain edema). This study provides insight into the mechanisms of this important lesion and may contribute to a better understanding of the cause of death.

Digital and technological solutions constitute a key enabler to achieving better workplace safety and health outcomes. Fundamentally, the success of their implementation is underscored by a need for employers, employees, industry stakeholders and policymakers to collaborate in adopting a "digital first" mindset. This review provides a background on the evolution of work and the workforce in post-independence Singapore, and introduces pertinent local workplace safety and health trends. It delves into how a "digital first" approach may be adopted and effected, followed by challenges and opportunities in the digitalization of Singapore's workplace safety and health landscape. Illustrative examples are used to highlight applications of digital and technological solutions in the control of occupational hazards. In our discussion, workplace strategies are built around the hierarchy of controls framework, whereas worker-related strategies are divided into workspace optimization for productivity/performance enhancement, training/education, and instituting surveillance/open reporting mechanisms. We demonstrate that with an open and forward-looking mind, and well-executed change management, we will be able to capitalize on technological advances to improve work and working conditions for all workers.

This mini review explores the transformative potential of big data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) in reforming occupational medicine in Indonesia. Emphasizing the preconditions, case studies, and benefits, it underscores the role of big data in enhancing worker well-being. The review highlights the importance of informative health big data, especially in high-risk industries, with examples of case studies of AI implementation in occupational medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and other relevant scenarios. While acknowledging the challenges of AI implementation, the essay identifies the role of academic and professional organizations as pioneers in big data utilization. Six potential benefits that are identified, including improved patient care and efficient resource allocation, demonstrate the transformative impact of big data analysis. The proposed pathway of preparation underscores the need for awareness, skill enhancement, and collaboration, addressing challenges in data management and stakeholder engagement. The conclusion emphasizes continuous assessment, feasibility studies, and commitment as essential steps in advancing occupational medicine through big data analysis.

The need for improved nutrition in older adults requiring care has been acknowledged, but, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of systematic review and integration of nutritional care studies with older adults in nursing homes. This scoping review aimed to examine the scope and nature of nutritional care research for older adults in nursing homes and to identify research gaps, following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. We found varied nutritional care for older adults living in nursing homes, including individualized sessions, such as nutrition counseling, the addition of foods and preparations for increased nutritional intake, and the maintenance of an eating environment, such as feeding assistance and calling. The nutritional care identified in this scoping review also included studies that have improved the nutritional status of older adults in nursing homes by implementing educational programs for care staff. For future research on effective nutritional care for older adults in nursing homes, we suggest evaluating both short- and long-term intervention effects with an adequate sample size.

Women's health issues, including menstruation, childbirth, and menopause, significantly impact work performance and career progression, and pose physical and mental burdens on women. Despite their importance, research on how these events and conditions affect women's quality of life and health in the workplace is limited. This study explores the relationship between living environment, health status, work factors, and the health and work performance of working women. It focuses on menstruation-associated symptoms (dysmenorrhea, PMS) and menopausal symptoms and their impact on working QOL and health. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Internet from June 6 to 12, 2024 among working women in Japan aged 20-60. The sample came from a closed survey of panel monitors from a company commissioned to conduct the survey. Screening included gender, age, hours worked, place of residence, and type of work, with participants being women aged 20-60 and working at least 30 hours per week. Of 31,965 participants, 4,245 were excluded for reasons such as short response time, marital status inconsistencies, childcare inconsistencies, undergoing infertility treatment at age 55 or older, and incorrect responses, resulting in 27,720 participants. The survey consisted of 139 questions and was conducted on a relatively homogeneous sample across all strata. Understanding the impact of menstruation-related symptoms on labor productivity and enhancing knowledge of women's health can lead to a better healthcare system and improved business performance. This study aimed to generate evidence to support these goals.