Pub Date : 2024-09-17DOI: 10.1186/s42506-024-00167-7
Amal Saad-Hussein, Safia Beshir, Weam Shaheen, Inas A. Saleh, Mohamed Elhamshary, Atef M. F. Mohammed
The textile industry is the second risk factor for bladder cancer, after smoking. Previous studies focused on the impact of exposure to high concentrations of bladder carcinogenic chemicals in the textile dyeing industry on the elevation of bladder cancer biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate bladder carcinogenic air pollutants in a textile dyeing factory and investigate its role and the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vit. D) on cancer bladder biomarkers in exposed workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Particulate and vapor forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in the printing, dyeing, and preparing sections of a textile factory. Bladder tumor antigen (BTA), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP-22), and 25-OH vit. D were estimated in all the exposed workers (147 exposed workers) and in workers not occupationally exposed to chemicals (130 unexposed workers). Aromatic bladder carcinogenic compounds were either in low concentrations or not detected in the air samples of working areas. BTA and NMP-22 of exposed workers were not significantly different from the unexposed. However, 25-OH vit. D was significantly lower in the exposed than unexposed workers. There was a significant inverse correlation between 25-OH vit. D and duration of exposure in exposed workers. The mean levels of PAHs and VOCs were within the safe standard levels in the working areas. The non-significant difference in BTA and NMP-22 between the exposed and unexposed groups suggests the presence of occupational exposures to safe levels of bladder carcinogenic aromatics, while the significantly lower 25-OH vit. D levels among the exposed than the unexposed groups could suggest the potential association of 25-OH vit. D with occupational exposures to low levels of PAHs and VOCs, and this association was found to be inversely correlated with the duration of exposures. Accordingly, more specific predictor tests must be applied for early diagnosis of bladder cancer among the exposed workers.
纺织业是继吸烟之后膀胱癌的第二大风险因素。以往的研究主要集中在纺织印染行业暴露于高浓度膀胱致癌化学物质对膀胱癌生物标志物升高的影响。本研究旨在评估纺织印染工厂中的膀胱致癌空气污染物,并调查其对暴露工人膀胱癌生物标志物的作用以及血清 25- 羟维生素 D(25-OH vit.研究人员进行了一项横断面研究。研究人员在一家纺织厂的印染和准备部门监测了多环芳烃(PAHs)和挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)的颗粒和蒸汽形式。对所有接触该物质的工人的膀胱肿瘤抗原 (BTA)、核基质蛋白 22 (NMP-22) 和 25-OH 维生素 D 进行了估计。对所有接触化学品的工人(147 名)和未接触化学品的工人(130 名)的膀胱肿瘤抗原(BTA)、核基质蛋白 22(NMP-22)和 25-OH 维生素 D 进行了估计。在工作区的空气样本中,要么检测到低浓度的芳香族膀胱致癌化合物,要么没有检测到。接触化学品的工人的 BTA 和 NMP-22 与未接触化学品的工人没有明显差异。不过,暴露工人的 25-OH vit.D 则明显低于未接触的工人。25-OH vit.D 与接触时间之间存在明显的反比关系。多环芳烃和挥发性有机化合物的平均水平在工作区的安全标准水平之内。暴露组和未暴露组之间的 BTA 和 NMP-22 差异不显著,这表明职业暴露中的膀胱致癌芳香族化合物处于安全水平,而暴露组的 25-OH vit.而暴露组的 25-OH vit. D 水平明显低于未暴露组,这可能表明 25-OH vit.而暴露组的 25-OH 维生素 D 水平明显低于未暴露组,这可能表明 25-OH 维生素 D 与职业暴露于低水平的多环芳烃和挥发性有机化合物有关,而且这种关联与暴露时间的长短成反比。因此,必须采用更具针对性的预测测试,以便及早诊断接触该物质的工人是否患有膀胱癌。
{"title":"Integrated evaluation of workplace exposures and biomarkers of bladder cancer among textile dyeing workers","authors":"Amal Saad-Hussein, Safia Beshir, Weam Shaheen, Inas A. Saleh, Mohamed Elhamshary, Atef M. F. Mohammed","doi":"10.1186/s42506-024-00167-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-024-00167-7","url":null,"abstract":"The textile industry is the second risk factor for bladder cancer, after smoking. Previous studies focused on the impact of exposure to high concentrations of bladder carcinogenic chemicals in the textile dyeing industry on the elevation of bladder cancer biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate bladder carcinogenic air pollutants in a textile dyeing factory and investigate its role and the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vit. D) on cancer bladder biomarkers in exposed workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Particulate and vapor forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in the printing, dyeing, and preparing sections of a textile factory. Bladder tumor antigen (BTA), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP-22), and 25-OH vit. D were estimated in all the exposed workers (147 exposed workers) and in workers not occupationally exposed to chemicals (130 unexposed workers). Aromatic bladder carcinogenic compounds were either in low concentrations or not detected in the air samples of working areas. BTA and NMP-22 of exposed workers were not significantly different from the unexposed. However, 25-OH vit. D was significantly lower in the exposed than unexposed workers. There was a significant inverse correlation between 25-OH vit. D and duration of exposure in exposed workers. The mean levels of PAHs and VOCs were within the safe standard levels in the working areas. The non-significant difference in BTA and NMP-22 between the exposed and unexposed groups suggests the presence of occupational exposures to safe levels of bladder carcinogenic aromatics, while the significantly lower 25-OH vit. D levels among the exposed than the unexposed groups could suggest the potential association of 25-OH vit. D with occupational exposures to low levels of PAHs and VOCs, and this association was found to be inversely correlated with the duration of exposures. Accordingly, more specific predictor tests must be applied for early diagnosis of bladder cancer among the exposed workers.","PeriodicalId":29958,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142265029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-10DOI: 10.1186/s42506-024-00153-z
Mohammad A. Abu-Lubad, Munir A. Abu-Helalah, Mohammad S. QawaQzeh, Esra’a F. Alahmad, Malak M. Al-Tamimi, Mohammad K. Ruba’I, Sahm H. Etoom, Rawan K. Alfayoumi, Fatima E. Aldaoudeyeh, Ekram A. AlAbabneh, Ahlam M. Al-kharabsheh, Hussam Alshraideh
Several recent studies have highlighted the need for more evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 infections and vaccines on the reproductive system and menstruation. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccines on menstrual symptoms. A cross-sectional survey utilizing face-to-face interviews from January 1 to 31 March 2022 was conducted in the city of Al-Karak in southern Jordan. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, medical and reproductive history, the contraceptive method used if any, menstrual cycle (MC) status, previous medical and drug history, and the impact of infection and vaccination on the MC. The study questionnaire was completed by 400 participants with a mean age of 32.1±12.6 years. Regarding the history of COVID-19 infections, 33.8% of the participants reported a history of confirmed COVID-19 infections, 77.8% of them did not report any menstrual changes following the infection, while the remaining 22.2% reported changes in menstruation. The most commonly reported post-COVID-19 manifestations were irregular (27.6%) and light menstrual cycle (MC) (24.15) or dysmenorrhea (24.1%). Heavy menstruation was reported by 17.2% of participants post-COVID-19 infection. Two-thirds of the study participants (66.6%) reported no changes in the MC following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The most reported symptoms for those who experienced changes in the MC following the vaccination were irregular cycle (13.1%), heavy menstruation (7%), and light menstruation (7%). Other reported symptoms were dysmenorrhea (4.6%), intermenstrual bleeding (1.2%), and amenorrhea (0.5%). This study revealed minor changes in the MC following COVID-19 infections and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. These findings are consistent with published reports. It is recommended that future clinical trials for new vaccines for women of childbearing age include outcomes related to sex hormones and MC. Women should be encouraged to take the vaccines and report symptoms to healthcare professionals for further assessment.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 infections and vaccination on menstrual cycle symptoms in the south of Jordan: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Mohammad A. Abu-Lubad, Munir A. Abu-Helalah, Mohammad S. QawaQzeh, Esra’a F. Alahmad, Malak M. Al-Tamimi, Mohammad K. Ruba’I, Sahm H. Etoom, Rawan K. Alfayoumi, Fatima E. Aldaoudeyeh, Ekram A. AlAbabneh, Ahlam M. Al-kharabsheh, Hussam Alshraideh","doi":"10.1186/s42506-024-00153-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-024-00153-z","url":null,"abstract":"Several recent studies have highlighted the need for more evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 infections and vaccines on the reproductive system and menstruation. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccines on menstrual symptoms. A cross-sectional survey utilizing face-to-face interviews from January 1 to 31 March 2022 was conducted in the city of Al-Karak in southern Jordan. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, medical and reproductive history, the contraceptive method used if any, menstrual cycle (MC) status, previous medical and drug history, and the impact of infection and vaccination on the MC. The study questionnaire was completed by 400 participants with a mean age of 32.1±12.6 years. Regarding the history of COVID-19 infections, 33.8% of the participants reported a history of confirmed COVID-19 infections, 77.8% of them did not report any menstrual changes following the infection, while the remaining 22.2% reported changes in menstruation. The most commonly reported post-COVID-19 manifestations were irregular (27.6%) and light menstrual cycle (MC) (24.15) or dysmenorrhea (24.1%). Heavy menstruation was reported by 17.2% of participants post-COVID-19 infection. Two-thirds of the study participants (66.6%) reported no changes in the MC following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The most reported symptoms for those who experienced changes in the MC following the vaccination were irregular cycle (13.1%), heavy menstruation (7%), and light menstruation (7%). Other reported symptoms were dysmenorrhea (4.6%), intermenstrual bleeding (1.2%), and amenorrhea (0.5%). This study revealed minor changes in the MC following COVID-19 infections and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. These findings are consistent with published reports. It is recommended that future clinical trials for new vaccines for women of childbearing age include outcomes related to sex hormones and MC. Women should be encouraged to take the vaccines and report symptoms to healthcare professionals for further assessment.","PeriodicalId":29958,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140592950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-03DOI: 10.1186/s42506-024-00154-y
Safaa M. El-Zoghby, Nancy M. Zaghloul, Ayat M. Tawfik, Noura M. Elsherbiny, Shaimaa A. Shehata, Enayat M. Soltan
There is an increase in smartphone usage globally. Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized by excessive Internet searches for health information. Smartphone addiction is constantly rising among medical students together with CYB as a collateral emerging risk, yet there is limited research available on the topic. This cross-sectional study explores the rising phenomenon of smartphone addiction and its potential role in CYB among medical students in seven Egyptian universities. A total of 1435 medical students participated in completing online questionnaires that assessed smartphone addiction and CYB using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of smartphone addiction and CYB. Based on the used scales, 57.6% of students were suffering from smartphone addiction, and 85.8% exhibited a moderate degree of CYB. There was a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction scores and CYB (p < 0.05). The multivariable regression models revealed that four factors including using Facebook, using WhatsApp, increasing time spent on the Internet per day, and a higher CYB score increase the probability of smartphone addiction. The factors that increase the probability of CYB are using Facebook, an increase in the frequency of Internet searches, a higher degree of worry about one’s health or a family member’s health, and being a smartphone addict. Smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students is prevalent. Social media use, time spent online, and smartphone addiction were linked with the risk of CYB. Regular physical activity decreases the probability of smartphone addiction. Awareness programs and increased mental and physical activities are required to help reduce smartphone addiction among youth.
{"title":"Cyberchondria and smartphone addiction: A correlation survey among undergraduate medical students in Egypt","authors":"Safaa M. El-Zoghby, Nancy M. Zaghloul, Ayat M. Tawfik, Noura M. Elsherbiny, Shaimaa A. Shehata, Enayat M. Soltan","doi":"10.1186/s42506-024-00154-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-024-00154-y","url":null,"abstract":"There is an increase in smartphone usage globally. Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized by excessive Internet searches for health information. Smartphone addiction is constantly rising among medical students together with CYB as a collateral emerging risk, yet there is limited research available on the topic. This cross-sectional study explores the rising phenomenon of smartphone addiction and its potential role in CYB among medical students in seven Egyptian universities. A total of 1435 medical students participated in completing online questionnaires that assessed smartphone addiction and CYB using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of smartphone addiction and CYB. Based on the used scales, 57.6% of students were suffering from smartphone addiction, and 85.8% exhibited a moderate degree of CYB. There was a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction scores and CYB (p < 0.05). The multivariable regression models revealed that four factors including using Facebook, using WhatsApp, increasing time spent on the Internet per day, and a higher CYB score increase the probability of smartphone addiction. The factors that increase the probability of CYB are using Facebook, an increase in the frequency of Internet searches, a higher degree of worry about one’s health or a family member’s health, and being a smartphone addict. Smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students is prevalent. Social media use, time spent online, and smartphone addiction were linked with the risk of CYB. Regular physical activity decreases the probability of smartphone addiction. Awareness programs and increased mental and physical activities are required to help reduce smartphone addiction among youth.","PeriodicalId":29958,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140593392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-19DOI: 10.1186/s42506-023-00146-4
Sarah Dalibalta, Zinb Makhlouf, Layal Rabah, Fatin Samara, Yehya Elsayed
A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as “e-cigarettes,” “midwakh,” “dokha,” “heath impacts,” “psychological effects,” “social influences,” and “cigarette smoking” with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally.
{"title":"A literature review addressing midwakh and e-cigarette use in the Gulf region","authors":"Sarah Dalibalta, Zinb Makhlouf, Layal Rabah, Fatin Samara, Yehya Elsayed","doi":"10.1186/s42506-023-00146-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-023-00146-4","url":null,"abstract":"A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as “e-cigarettes,” “midwakh,” “dokha,” “heath impacts,” “psychological effects,” “social influences,” and “cigarette smoking” with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally.","PeriodicalId":29958,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138740907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}