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Biomedical subjects

T C Aw

Publications and source records attributed to T C Aw.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Morbidity survey of post mortem room staff.

A retrospective study of post mortem staff who had taken leave due to sickness was carried out over a 12 month period throughout England and Wales. Eight hundred and nineteen post mortem room personnel (representing a 57% response) replied to individual postal questionnaires regarding their sick leave of two days or more, for the period June 1985 to June 1986. Complete responses were available for 751. Post mortem room technical staff reported more mean days sickness per person (7.8) than either pathologists (1.6) or a control group of coroners' officers (3.9). The annual inception rate (frequency by spells) was also higher among technicians than the other two groups. Technical staff had more infectious disease (0.73 mean days of absence compared with pathologist (0.10) or coroners' officers (0.12] and more frequent absences due to cuts and lacerations.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1990

Dermatological hazards in the electronics industry.

The advent of the electronics age has resulted in the rapid growth and increasing importance of the electronics industry on a global scale. The main industrial processes are fabrication of semiconductor wafers, printed circuit boards, the assembly of semiconductor devices, printed circuit boards and the final electronic products. The process carry the risk of various work hazards, among them dermatological hazards. These include exposure to irritants and allergens during common operations such as soldering, cleaning operations, materials handling, procedures for control of static electricity and low humidity in the work environment. Even the use of protective clothing may be associated with the risk of dermatitis. In spite of the numerous dermatological hazards, the risk for work-related skin disorders among electronics workers appears to be low when compared to other industries. However, the vast size of the electronics workforce will contribute to large numbers of workers with occupational dermatoses. Occupational health personnel responsible for factories in the electronics industry should therefore be aware of the cutaneous hazards present, and how these may lead to work-related dermatoses.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗
PubMed1990

Clinical evaluation of amperometric enzyme electrodes in continuous-flow analysis for glucose in undiluted whole blood.

We have evaluated the carbon-paste enzyme/wall-jet electrode in continuous-flow analysis for glucose in undiluted whole blood. Responses of the electrode to protein-based and aqueous samples under wall-jet configuration are described. Imprecision in the flow-injection mode was less than 2% for glucose values in the usual analytical range (1-25 mmol/L). The dynamic range for glucose was from 0.03 to 45 mmol/L, with about 100% recovery of added substrate. The performance of the electrode (y) in flow-injection and steady-state modes was compared with a colorimetric method (x; Kodak Ektachem XR700), yielding linear-regression equations of y = 1.152x + 0.295 and y = 0.979x + 0.500, respectively. Among the anticoagulants, blood preservatives, and interfering substances investigated, only ascorbic acid gave a significant positive bias. The electrode exhibited good stability for analyses of undiluted whole-blood samples.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1990

Effects of low dose guar in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.

Thirteen non-obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients were given guar granulate in an average dose of 7.1 grams daily for 8 weeks. The mean fructosamine fell from 3.3 +/- 0.69 mmol/L (p less than 0.01). Mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) fell from 8.17 +/- 2.2% preguar to 7.67 +/- 1.81% (1 = ns) and to 7.39 +/- 1.23% (p = ns) at 8 weeks and 12 weeks postguar respectively. Eight weeks after the discontinuation of guar fructosamine rose to 3.61 +/- 0.95 mmol/L (p less than 0.05) while HbA1c rose to 8.23 +/- 2.08% (p = 0.05). There were no significant changes in fasting blood glucose, lipids, and body weight. Mild gastrointestinal side-effects occurred in 11 patients during the treatment with guar. It is concluded that daily ingestion of low dose guar modestly improves glycaemic control, such improvement dissipating by 8 weeks following cessation of its use.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Coronary risk profile screening during National Heart Week--1986.

Coronary risk profile screening was performed in 1422 volunteer subjects during National Heart Week 1986. A great proportion (55%) of this study group had blood cholesterol above 200 mg/dl; 10% of the subjects were smokers. This study documents the coronary risk profile of 1422 subjects whose biodata provide a baseline for future follow up of the possible changes in any of the various risk factors. This study identifies modifiable risk factors, high blood cholesterol and smoking which should be the target of public education in the efforts to reduce coronary diseases in Singapore.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Plasma carriers influence the uptake of cholecalciferol by human hepatoma-derived cells.

The uptake of [3H]cholecalciferol by the human hepatoma-derived cell lines Hep G2 and Hep 3B was examined as a function of the sterol's presentation on various plasma proteins at their native concentrations. Control cultures utilized devitalized cells cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and estimated nonspecific sterol adherence to cells. With both cell lines, neither albumin nor plasma vitamin D binding protein permitted cholecalciferol uptake above control values. With Hep G2 cells, only low-density lipoprotein presentation of the sterol resulted in significant cellular uptake that had features resembling a receptor-mediated process. With Hep 3B, only high-density lipoprotein presentation of the sterol resulted in a significant uptake that was cell, carrier, and time dependent. These results support the hypothesis that lipoprotein carriers could account for the efficient hepatic accumulation of cholecalciferol in vivo.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1989

Employment prospects for patients with intestinal stomas: the attitude of occupational physicians.

The attitude of 126 occupational physicians to the employment problems of patients with intestinal stomas were assessed by a postal questionnaire. Heavy work and work in hot places were commonly (65 and 49 per cent of respondents respectively) considered 'unsuitable'. Work as a food handler, handling toxic chemicals and driving duties was thought to be 'unsuitable' by 35, 14 and 10 per cent of respondents respectively and actually forbidden by a few physicians. Risk of spread of infection was perceived to be greater than normal for someone with a stoma by 28 per cent of respondents. This attitude was significantly more common (p less than 0.05 Chi square) among the associate members compared to full members of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. Attitudes to people with either an ileostomy or a colostomy were similar. Most respondents (87 per cent) expected more sickness absences than normal for people with inflammatory bowel disease without a stoma but half appreciated that the creation of a stoma would result in normal amounts of sickness absence. The Occupational Physicians' views of which jobs within their industry were unsuitable for stoma patients were inconsistent. In practice most tasks can be performed normally by someone with a stoma so that each case should be assessed on an individual basis. There is a need for greater understanding and awareness by doctors of the good employment potential of people with intestinal stomas. The reasons for present attitudes are reviewed and new guidelines suggested.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1989

A review of 132 consecutive patients referred for assessment of vibration white finger.

One hundred and thirty-two subjects were referred to the Institute of Occupational Health in Birmingham over a 2 year period for assessment as to whether they met the criteria for Prescribed Disease A11 (vibration white finger). A standardized questionnaire and checklist was used, and each patient with vibration white finger was staged according to the Taylor and Pelmear (1975) classification. One hundred and sixteen subjects (88 per cent) had a clinical picture consistent with a diagnosis of vibration white finger, of which 10 did not meet the DHSS criteria for prescription. For these 116 subjects, the mean age at initial occupational exposure to vibration was 27 years. The mean age when symptoms began was 40 years. Numbness was the most common symptom accompanying the periodic blanching. More claimants reported symptoms affecting their hobbies and social life than affecting their work. The main job activities that exposed these claimants to vibration were pedestal grinding, pneumatic chipping/grinding, and hand grinding. Different systems available for staging vibration white finger have inherent limitations, but a scheme that uses standardized objective tests will make the diagnosis and assessment less reliant on subjective symptoms alone.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Uses and limitations of microcomputers for epidemiological research in occupational health.

The rapid improvements in microcomputer systems have contributed to ease of performance of epidemiological research in occupational health. Computers now available can aid in all stages of research- from the early stages of literature review to data collection, analysis and presentation. Optical storage devices now allow large occupational health data bases to be stored on a single compact disc, with the information accessible by microcomputer. Hand-held computers and optical scanners allow paperless collection of field data. Epidemiological analysis and data presentation is easily done with software packages, some of which are in the public domain. However, there are limitations in the use of computers for any epidemiological research. Investment of time is required to learn the use of a computer. Care needs to be taken to ensure accurate data entry, and correct choice has to be made of methods for subsequent statistical analysis. Microcomputers are valuable as labour saving devices, but cannot replace proper planning, execution and appropriate data analysis in epidemiological research in occupational health.

Health Services Research↗
PubMed1989

Occupational exposure to zeranol, an animal growth promoter.

Zeranol (3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12-Decahydro-7,14,16-trihydroxy-3-methyl-1H-2 - benzoxacyclotetradecin-1-one) is a synthetic oestrogenic agent used as an animal growth promoter. The effects of occupational exposure to zeranol in 11 exposed workers from a pelletising plant and 14 nonexposed subjects were assessed. A questionnaire showed that more breast symptoms were reported by male and female plant workers compared with non-exposed subjects, although the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical assessment showed no cases of gynaecomastia in all the male participants. Blood samples analysed by high performance liquid chromatography for zeranol, its precursor zearalenone, and its main metabolites did not show any of these compounds above the laboratory limit of detection. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), prolactin, and oestradiol showed no striking differences between the exposed and the non-exposed subjects. Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) levels did not significantly differ between the two groups but mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) levels were higher in the exposed group; this could be due to relatively high HDL cholesterol in two women exposed to zeranol or relatively low HDL cholesterol in three non-exposed men.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Renal disease and occupational exposure to organic solvents: a case referent approach.

Several recent studies have suggested that a relation may exist between exposure to occupational organic solvents and diseases of the kidney--particularly malignancy and glomerulonephritis. Two case referent studies were undertaken in the West Midlands to investigate these possibilities. In the case of renal cancer 54 live cases of biopsy proved adenocarcinoma of the kidney were compared with an equal number of community based healthy referents matched for age, sex, place of residence, and socioeconomic and ethnic grouping. For glomerulonephritis, 50 biopsy proved cases were matched in the same manner with 50 referents. Fourteen other patients were also reviewed who, on biopsy, proved not to have glomerulonephritis. For both sets of cases and their referents each individual was interviewed and a detailed account obtained of medical history and environmental exposures. Exposure to solvents was assessed independently and "blind" in a semiquantitative way by an experienced occupational hygienist. Past exposure was estimated for 10 different solvent types and 17 material types. No relation was found between exposure to solvents and renal cancer or glomerulonephritis. In the case of renal cancer the numbers studied only precluded a fourfold excess risk. For glomerulonephritis, the study, although methodologically superior to most other published studies and of similar size, was of similar power to the renal cancer investigation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Occupational exposure standards for pharmaceutical agents.

Compared to the wide range of occupational exposure standards available in different countries for industrial chemicals, there are only a few similar standards set for pharmaceutical agents. These substances produce physiological effects in relatively small doses, and there are documented ill-effects from worker exposures, hence the need for such standards. There are different approaches to setting occupational exposure standards for pharmaceutical agents. One derived from the nuisance dust standard may be used, although that may not be wholly appropriate. An approach has been previously suggested for ethinyl estradiol, and this requires the minimal effective dose, a safety factor, an assumption of equal absorption by inhalation as by the oral route, and the volume of air inhaled over an 8-hour day. Toxicological and pharmacological information for zeranol, an animal growth promoter with estrogenic properties, is used with these criteria to obtain an airborne standard. It can be shown that depending on what assumptions are made, there can be more than a tenfold difference in standards reached. There are other difficulties with setting standards for pharmaceutical agents, depending on the group of substances involved. Airborne standards are useful for medicines that are inhaled. A "skin" notation may be needed for those that can be absorbed via the dermal route. Biological standards should also be considered. Provision of standards for pharmaceutical agents will go some way towards protecting exposed pharmaceutical workers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

The calcium endocrine system.

The role of calcium as a modulator of a large number of physiological processes is well known. It is not surprising that the two principally in the understanding of its subcellular physiology and molecular biology. There is new knowledge on hepatocellular uptake of vitamin D. The subsequent hepatic conversion of vitamin D to 25 hydroxy vitamin D may indeed be under the feedback control of the active vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. Vitamin D now also appears to have many new and diverse functions some of which already have clinical application.

Calcium↗