International archives of occupational and environmental health
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Jul 2012
Depressive symptoms in junior doctors: a follow-up study on work-related determinants.
The study investigates the long-term effects of accumulated working conditions on depressive symptoms in junior doctors. Drawing on the Job Demand-Control-Support model, this study aims to identify personal and job-related determinants for self-reported depression in junior doctors-a professional group that is vulnerable to depression. ⋯ After controlling for demographic and working time influences, findings suggest that junior doctors' perceived job autonomy is negatively associated with future depressive symptoms. Enhancing job control emerges as a promising strategy to lower the risk of depression during first years of professional practice.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · May 2012
Relationship between indium exposure and oxidative damage in workers in indium tin oxide production plants.
The study aimed to assess the relationship between indium exposure and surfactant protein and any oxidative damage in indium tin oxide (ITO)-exposed workers. ⋯ The present study indicates a significant elevating trend of SP-A and SP-D levels in ITO-manufacturing workers, which are sensitive markers of interstitial lung disease. Though the indium exposure is not directly linked to all indicators of oxidative DNA damage, the ITO-manufacturing workplace is suggested to be related to oxidative DNA damage for the workers in the current study. Therefore, in addition to the indium exposure, there might be other occupational hazards in the ITO workplace to cause oxidative damage.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Oct 2011
The distribution and co-occurrence of physical and psychosocial risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in a general working population.
There is growing evidence that physical and psychosocial exposures at work increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution and co-occurrence of these risk factors in the working population. ⋯ This study provides novel information on the occupational exposures in general working population. It appears that co-occurrence of physical and psychosocial exposures should be considered in research and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, a broader set of occupational factors, e.g., work organization, are suggested to be included in future studies to cover all the relevant determinants.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Aug 2011
Lung function in adults following in utero and childhood exposure to arsenic in drinking water: preliminary findings.
Evidence suggests that arsenic in drinking water causes non-malignant lung disease, but nearly all data concern exposed adults. The desert city of Antofagasta (population 257,976) in northern Chile had high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water (>800 μg/l) from 1958 until 1970, when a new treatment plant was installed. This scenario, with its large population, distinct period of high exposure, and accurate data on past exposure, is virtually unprecedented in environmental epidemiology. We conducted a pilot study on early-life arsenic exposure and long-term lung function. We present these preliminary findings because of the magnitude of the effects observed. ⋯ Early-life exposure to arsenic in drinking water may have irreversible respiratory effects of a magnitude similar to smoking throughout adulthood. Given the small study size and non-random recruitment methods, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Jun 2011
Review Case ReportsIndium lung--case reports and epidemiology.
The present review is aimed to introduce an new occupational lung disease, Indium Lung. ⋯ Long-term follow-up of currently and formerly indium-exposed workers is essential not only to clarify the natural history of indium lung but also to trace the incidence of lung cancer. It is also necessary to elucidate the mechanism of indium lung and difference in clinical manifestations between Japanese and US cases.