Mohammad Javad Zare Sakhvidi

Occupational Cancer Risk Perception in Iranian Workers

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined the occupational cancer risk perception among 269 Iranian industrial workers according to their knowledge, job titles hazard, and demographical properties. The structured questionnaire was used to measure participants’ knowledge and perception toward occupational cancers (reliability of the perception questions = .72). There was significant difference in both knowledge and perception about occupational cancers in different age and educational groups. It was significant relation between knowledge and perception (p = .001). True answer to some questions was less than 20%. An optimistic bias was found in participants’ perception. These findings prove that cancer risk perception in industrial workforces is affected by several factors. Further efforts should be placed in the training of workers to enhance their knowledge and subsequently their perception toward occupational cancers.

Applicability of the comet assay in evaluation of DNA damage in healthcare providers’ working with antineoplastic drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Unintended occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ANDs) may occur in medical personnel. Some ANDs are known human carcinogens and exposure can be monitored by genotoxic biomarkers. Objective: To evaluate the obstacles to obtaining conclusive results from a comet assay test to determine DNA damage among AND exposed healthcare workers. Methods: We systematically reviewed studies that used alkaline comet assay to determine the magnitude and significance of DNA damage among health care workers with potential AND exposure. Fifteen studies were eligible for review and 14 studies were used in the meta-analysis. Results: Under random effect assumption, the estimated standardized mean difference (SMD) in the DNA damage of health care workers was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.15–2.71, p < 0.0001). The resulting SMD was reduced to 1.756 (95% CI: 0.992–2.52, p < 0.0001) when the analysis only included nurses. In subgroup analyses based on gender and smoking, heterogeneity was observed. Only for studies reporting comet moment, I2 test results, as a measure of heterogeneity, dropped to zero. Heterogeneity analysis showed that date of study publication was a possible source of heterogeneity (B = −0.14; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: A mixture of personal parameters, comet assay methodological variables, and exposure characteristics may be responsible for heterogenic data from comet assay studies and interfere with obtaining conclusive results. Lack of quantitative environmental exposure measures and variation in comet assay protocols across studies are important obstacles in generalization of results.

Psychosocial Predictors for Cancer Prevention Behaviors in Workplace Using Protection Motivation Theory.

Backgrounds. The aim of this study was to describe the preventive behaviors of industrial workers and factors influencing occupational cancer prevention behaviors using protection motivation theory. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 161 petrochemical workers in Iran in 2014 which consisted of three sections: background information, protection motivation theory measures, and occupational cancers preventive behaviors. Results. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between PM and self-efficacy, response efficacy, and the cancer preventive behaviors. Meanwhile, statistically significant negative correlations were found between PM, cost, and reward. Conclusions. Among available PMT constructs, only self-efficacy and cost were significant predictors of preventive behaviors. Protection motivation model based health promotion interventions with focus on self-efficacy and cost would be desirable in the case of occupational cancers prevention.

Application of Mathematical Models in Combination with Monte Carlo Simulation for Prediction of Isoflurane Concentration in an Operation Room Theater

Applicability of two mathematical models in inhalation exposure prediction (well mixed room and near field-far field model) were validated against standard sampling method in one operation room for isoflurane. Ninety six air samples were collected from near and far field of the room and quantified by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Isoflurane concentration was also predicted by the models. Monte Carlo simulation was used to incorporate the role of parameters variability. The models relatively gave more conservative results than the measurements. There was no significant difference between the models and direct measurements results. There was no difference between the concentration prediction of well mixed room model and near field far field model. It suggests that the dispersion regime in room was close to well mixed situation. Direct sampling showed that the exposure in the same room for same type of operation could be up to 17 times variable which can be incorporated by Monte Carlo simulation. Mathematical models are valuable option for prediction of exposure in operation rooms. Our results also suggest that incorporating the role of parameters variability by conducting Monte Carlo simulation can enhance the strength of prediction in occupational hygiene decision making.

Oxidative stress and DNA damage in the cord blood of preterm infants

Preterm birth infants are more susceptible to oxidative stress and aftermaths unwanted outcomes such as DNA damage due to hyperoxic stress. In this study, we compared the DNA strand breaks as one of the results of DNA oxidation in white blood cells, malondialdehyde (oxidative stress marker), catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, and total antioxidant capacity (markers of antioxidant defense) in a cord blood plasma of a group of preterm (n=25) and full term births (n=25). The primary DNA damage and plasma oxidative stress markers were significantly higher in a preterm group (p<0.05). Cord plasma activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly lower in preterm infants (p≤0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the cord blood total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity and malondialdehyde in preterm and term infants. Among the oxidative stress markers, the malondialdehyde concentration showed the strongest effect size (1.54; 95%CI: 0.9-2.17). For comet parameters, the most powerful effect size was observed for tail length (5.24; 95% CI: 4.05-6.42). However, tail DNA percent and tail moment were also significantly higher in cases compared to controls. Significant negative correlation was observed between comet assay parameters and birth weight and gestational age when all cases and controls entered into the analysis. There was no significant association between the levels of oxidative stress markers and early DNA damage in cord blood plasma with future nutritional tolerance in preterm infants. In the present study, the primary DNA damage and plasma oxidative stress markers significantly were increased in a preterm group. Preterm babies are more prone to the outcomes related to the early DNA damage. Tail DNA percent does not depend on experimental conditions as other parameters (tail length and thus also tail moment) and can be used for comparison with other studies.

Association between noise exposure and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is on rise worldwide and environmental factors are being increasingly recognized to be involved in this rise. An emerging body of evidence has evaluated the impact of long‐term exposure to noise on diabetes mellitus, highlighting the need to synthesize this evidence. Objectives: To systematically review and conduct meta‐analysis of the available evidence on the association between long‐term exposure to transport and occupational noise exposure and diabetes mellitus. Methods: Selected databases were searched for available evidence published till September 13th, 2017 following MOOSE guidelines. The quality of articles was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Random effects meta‐analysis was applied to abstract combined estimates for diabetes mellitus per 5 dB increase in noise exposure. We evaluated the heterogeneity applying Cochrans Q test and quantified it using I2 statistic. Meta‐regressions were conducted to identify sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plot and Eggers test. Results: Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria of which nine including five prospective cohorts, two cross‐sectional and two case‐control studies with a total number of 444460 adult participants and 17430 diabetes mellitus cases included in meta‐analyses. We observed a 6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3%, 9%) increase in the risk of diabetes mellitus per 5 dB increase in noise exposure regardless of its source. Source‐specific analyses were suggestive for stronger associations for air traffic noise (combined odds ratio: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29 per 5 dB increase in exposure) flowed by road traffic noise (combined odds ratio: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.12). We observed some indications of publication bias; however the findings were robust after trim and fill test. Meta‐regression analyses showed that the adjustment in general, and not specifically related to air pollution, could predict the between‐study heterogeneity in reported associations. Conclusions: The results indicate an increased risk of diabetes mellitus associated with noise exposure, mainly related to air and road traffic. Graphical abstract: Figure. No caption available. HighlightsNoise exposure could be associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM).17% increase in risk of DM observed per 5 dB increase in aircraft noise exposure.5 dB increase in road traffic noise was associated with 7% increase DM risk.No association was observed for rail traffic and occupational noise exposure.

Simultaneous effects of noise exposure and smoking on OAEs

Noise is one of the most pervasive hazardous factors in the workplace. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common disorder related to noise exposure. Smoking is probably associated with hearing loss. The simultaneous effect of noise and smoking on hearing is a recent concern. In this study, we assessed the simultaneous effect of noise and smoking on standard pure tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DP-OAEs). This was an historical cohort study on 224 workers exposed to noise who were divided into two groups: Smokers and nonsmokers. DP-OAE response amplitudes were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) using Student′s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. One hundred and five subjects were smokers (case group) and 119 individuals were nonsmokers (control group). All the subjects were exposed to 91.08 ΁ 2.29 dBA [time-weighted average (TWA) for an 8 h work shift]. Mean DP-OAE response amplitude at frequencies higher than 1,000 Hz was significantly higher in the smokers than the nonsmokers. This study showed that smoking can aggravate the effect of noise on hearing in DP-OAEs.

Correction to: Environmental Noise Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Problems in Children: a Systematic Review

The first author’s name should should be “Fariba Zare Sakhvidi”.

Environmental Noise Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Problems in Children: a Systematic Review

Purpose of ReviewWe systematically summarized and evaluated evidence on association between traffic noise exposure and indicators of neurodevelopmental and mental health problems.Recent FindingsTwelve studies on 10 unique populations were reviewed. Different outcomes, mostly measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and its subscales, were reported. Overall bias in each study was acceptable, but the quality of evidence for specific outcomes was “low” to “very low,” according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.SummaryData supporting the harmful effect of noise on neurodevelopmental and mental health in children are heterogeneous and limited. Direction of potentially harmful effect was most consistent for road traffic noise and total SDQ score and hyperactivity/inattention. At this point, there is only suggestive evidence that road traffic noise might lead to neurodevelopmental problems in children.

Primary DNA Damage in Dry Cleaners with Perchlorethylene Exposure

Background: Perchloroethylene is a halogenated solvent widely used in dry cleaning. International agency of research on cancer classified this chemical as a probable human carcinogen. Objective: To evaluate the extent of primary DNA damage in dry cleaner workers who were exposed to perchloroethylene as compared to non-exposed subjects. The effect of exposure modifying factors such as use of personal protective equipment, perceived risk, and reported safe behaviors on observed DNA damage were also studied. Methods: 59 exposed and non-exposed workers were selected from Yazd, Iran. All the 33 exposed workers had work history at least 3 months in the dry cleaning shops. Peripheral blood sampling was performed. Microscope examination was performed under fluorescent microscope (400×). Open comet software was used for image analysis. All biological analysis was performed in one laboratory. Results: Primary DNA damage to leukocytes in dry cleaners was relatively high. The median tail length, %DNA in tail, and tail moment in exposed group were significantly higher than those in non-exposed group. There was no significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in terms of tail length, tail moment, and %DNA in tail. There was no significant correlation between duration of employment in dry cleaning and observed DNA damage in terms of tail length, tail moment and %DNA in tail. Stratified analysis based on exposed and nonexposed category showed no significant relationship between age and observed DNA damage. Conclusion: Occupationally exposure to perchloroethylene can cause early DNA damage in dry cleaners.