Utjecaj izloženosti 1,6-heksametilen diizocijanatu (HDI) na vršni ekspiratorni protok u autolakirera u Iranu

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) on peak flowmetry in automobile body paint shop workers in Iran. We studied a population of 43 car painters exposed to HDI at their workplaces. Peak expiratory fl ow was tested for one working week, from the start to the end of each shift. Air was sampled and HDI analysed in parallel, according to the OSHA 42 method. Daily and weekly HDI exposure averages were (0.42±0.1) mg m-3 and (0.13±0.05) mg m-3, respectively. On painting days, 72 % of workers showed more than a 10 % variation in peak expiratory fl ow. Inhalation exposure exceeded the threshold limit value (TLV) ten times over. This strongly suggests that HDI affected the peak fl owmetry in the studied workers.Cilj je ovog ispitivanja bio utvrditi vršni protok u 43 iranska autolakirera profesionalno izložena 1,6-heksametilen diizocijanatu (HDI). Vršni ekspiratorni protok testiran je tjedan dana na početku i kraju svake smjene. Uzorkovanje i mjerenje HDI-ja u zraku radilo se istodobno s testiranjem vršnoga protoka, prema metodi OSHA 42. Prosječna dnevna izloženost radnika HDI-ju iznosila je (0.42±0.1) mg m-3, a tjedna (0.13±0.05) mg m-3. U 72 % radnika vršni ekspiratorni protok tijekom dana varirao je više od 10 %. Radnici su udisali deset puta više razine HDI-ja od graničnih te je moguće da je HDI utjecao na mjerenja plućne funkcije

Sweet corn yield response to alternate furrow irrigation methods under different planting densities in a semi-arid climatic condition

A field study was conducted to investigate sweet corn variety KCS 403 performance for yield and yield components under treatments of every furrow irrigation (EFI), semi-alternate furrow irrigation (SAFI) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI), with different planting densities in shallow and deep groundwater regimes. Plots under SAFI were irrigated every other furrow from sowing till six weeks, followed by full irrigation on every furrow till the end of growing season. Plots under EFI were irrigated every furrow throughout the growth period, while those under AFI were irrigated every other furrow throughout growth period. Results showed significant effects of the three irrigation regimes for fresh ear yield, 1000-kernel weight, ear diameter, cob diameter, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, number of kernels per ear (all at p ≤ 0.01), and fresh ear weight (p ≤ 0.05). However, there was no significant difference on the effects between EFI and SAFI for all the traits measured in the study. This indicates that yield and yield components of sweet corn under SAFI treatment were comparable with those under EFI. Unexpectedly, fresh ear yield and number of kernels per ear were found to be significantly higher under SAFI at the density of eight plants per m2than the other irrigation treatment combinations. The results also revealed significant effects of planting densities for all the traits measured except fresh ear weight. Plants at lower density produced ears with higher quality, however the overall performance was found to be higher while the number of plants per unit area was higher. This might be due to the level of competition among the individual plants for water, sunlight and nutrients at the different planting densities. In general, sweet corn yield under SAFI at the density of eight plants per square meter was found to be same as those under EFI, with 30% less water supplied. It can be concluded that SAFI is a way to save water in arid and semi-arid areas where corn production relies heavily on repeated irrigation

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated risk behaviors in prisoners: A systematic review

Abstract Background and Aims Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the major health concerns globally. Generally, prisoners are at higher risks for STIs due to risk factors including; drug‐use, high‐risk sexual behaviors, densely populated prisons, and poor living conditions. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the existing data on STI prevalence, and its associated risk factors among prisoners. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the literature using the keywords in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar online databases. We selected all the relevant original studies in English through title/abstract and full‐text screening process.‎ Results Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected and reviewed 32 studies out of 96 identified papers. The most important STI‐associated risk factors among prisoners were drug use, low educational levels, and unsafe sex. The prevalence of STIs was heterogenous in selected studies and was reported as follows; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (0%−14.5%), hepatitis B viruses (HBV) (0.04%−27.23%), hepatitis C viruses (HCV) (0.17%−49.7%), Syphilis (0.2%−22.1%), Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) (1.02%−6.7%), Gonorrhea (0.6%−7.8%), and herpes simplex virus‐2 (HSV‐2) 22.4%. Conclusion This systematic review indicates that the prevalence of STIs (HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Gonorrhea, and HSV‐2) among prisoners appears to be higher than the general population, with drug abuse, low educational levels, and unsafe sex as major risk factors

Genetic susceptibility of COVID-19: a systematic review of current evidence

International audienceAbstract Introduction While COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread worldwide, researchers have linked patterns of traits to poor disease outcomes. Risk factors for COVID-19 include asthma, elderly age, being pregnant, having any underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and experiencing lifelong systemic racism. Recently, connections to certain genes have also been found, although the susceptibility has not yet been established. We aimed to investigate the available evidence for the genetic susceptibility to COVID-19. Methods This study was a systematic review of current evidence to investigate the genetic susceptibility of COVID-19. By systematic search and utilizing the keywords in the online databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct, we retrieved all the related papers and reports published in English from December 2019 to September 2020. Results According to the findings, COVID-19 uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for cell entry. Previous studies have shown that people with ACE2 polymorphism who have type 2 transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSS2) are at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Also, two studies have shown that males are more likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 than females. Besides, research has also shown that patients possessing HLA-B*15:03 genotype may become immune to the infection. Conclusion Combing through the genome, several genes related to immune system’s response were related to the severity and susceptibility to the COVID-19. In conclusion, a correlation was found between the ACE2 levels and the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection

The relationship between COVID‐19 viral load and disease severity: A systematic review

International audiencePatients with COVID-19 may present different viral loads levels. However, the relationship between viral load and disease severity in COVID-19 is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the association between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and COVID-19 severity

Vaccines for COVID-19: A Review of Feasibility and Effectiveness

International audienceIntroduction: Many potential vaccines for COVID-19 are being studied, and several studies have reported the results of these vaccines. We aimed to review the current evidence of the feasibility and effectiveness of Vaccines for COVID-19. Methods: A search was carried out utilizing the keywords in the online databases, including Scopus,Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. We included both human and non-human studies because of the vaccine novelty, which could limit our ability to include sufficient human studies. Results: The review of studies showed that several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are under development; different platforms are being used, including eight vaccines are adenovirus-based vectors, six vaccines are RNA-based formulations, one vaccine is DNA-based formulations, and other vaccines are using other platforms, including lipid nano particles. Conclusion: It is crucial to gather as much clinically relevant evidence as possible regarding the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety profiles of these vaccines and adhere wisely to CDC protocols and guidelines of vaccine production