Suchergebnisse

AbstractIn this study, the risk ofAspergillus(Asp.) positivity and its respiratory health impacts on wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers were studied. In addition, it identified the geno-susceptibility role of mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphisms and the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum levels on the pulmonary functions of theAsp.-positive workers. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed for 89 workers from a selected WWTP, after exclusion of the smokers. Molecular identification ofAsp.blood positivity was done by 18S rRNA sequencing. Determination of MBL2 gene polymorphism and estimation of MBL serum levels were done. PFTs revealed abnormalities in 49.2% of the workers.Asp.was positive in 42.5% of the workers with different species. Among theAsp.-positive workers, 6.5% of the workers were with obstructive PFTs, 12.9% with restriction, and 22.6% with combined PFT abnormalities. MBL2 genotyping showed that wild genotype AA was common (68.5%) amongAsp.-positive workers compared to the other genotypes. This allele, whether homozygous or heterozygous, was significantly associated with decline in PFTs of the exposed workers. MBL serum levels were significantly lower in workers with obstructive, restrictive, and combined PFT abnormalities compared to those with normal PFTs, and in the workers withAsp.-positive species than theAsp.-negative workers. Moreover, it was significantly lower in workers withAsp. fumigatuscompared to that in the workers with otherAsp.species, and in theAsp.-positive workers with homozygous or heterozygous A allele compared to that in theAsp.-positive workers with homozygous B allele. Working in a WWTP can be associated with impaired PFTs due to exposure to airborne fungi. MBL2 genotyping showed thatAsp.-positive workers with homozygous or heterozygous A allele were at risk to develop decline in their PFTs.

AbstractNoise exposure is a health hazard in the textile industry. In cochlear hair cells, DNA damage caused by 8-oxoguanine (8-oxo G) can result in noise-induced hearing loss. Human 8-hydroxyguanine glycosylase (hOGG1) is a DNA repair enzyme that excises (8-oxo G) in the DNA and repairs DNA damage. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx) is a crucial antioxidant enzyme that aids in limiting cochlear damages. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress-inducible protein with a high fold change in the hair cells of the cochlea. The study aimed to investigate the association of either hOGG1 and GPx-1 polymorphisms with audiometric notches and HO-1 protein among textile workers. hOGG1 and GPx genotypes were analyzed by PCR–RFLP, and HO-1 levels were measured by ELISA in 115 male textile workers. Blood pressure and audiogram were performed. Results recorded the relation between audiometric notches and ear complaints among workers. Older age workers showed audiometric notches at > 25 dB with a significant decrease in HO-1 levels and higher levels in workers with normal audiogram. Ser/Cys genotype of hOGG1 gene was associated with age and work duration while CC genotype of GPx is associated with HO-1 levels and diastolic pressure. Ser/Cys genotype of hOGG1 gene was associated with age while Cys/Cys genotype was associated with work duration among workers. CC genotype of GPx gene was associated with higher HO-1 levels and TT genotype was associated with high diastolic pressure. Finally, hearing impairment was dependent on the duration of exposure to noise, older age, and the presence of heterozygote TC genotype of GPx gene among textile workers.