SVIBOR - Papers quoted in CC - project code: 3-01-015

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Papers quoted in Current Contents on project 3-01-015

Quoted papers: 23
Other papers: 4
Total: 27

Title: Immunological and respiratory changes in soy bean workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Schachter, Neil; Witek, Theodor; Marom, Zvi; Goswami, Satindra; Maayani, Saul; Kanceljak, Božica; Kanceljak, Božica (101500)

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 63
Year: 1991
Pages: from 15 to 20
Number of references: 27
Language: engleski
Summary: Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a groupof l9 soy bean workers and in 2O control workers. All soy beanworkers had positive immediate skin reactions to soy beanextract, as did l9/2O control workers. Similarly, l8/l9 soyworkers reacted to soy antigen prepared after separation fromoil, but only 3/l9 to soy lecithin antigen and l/l9 to soy oilantigen. Only 3/l9 soy workers had increased levels of specificIgE.The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in exposedworkers was significantly higher than in controls. Ventilatoryfunction was significantly worse in soy bean workers thanexpected. The data suggest that in addition to any atopicmehanisms, the irritant effect of soy dust may play a role inthis occupational airway disease.
Keywords: Soy bean dust, respiratory function, occupational asthma,immunological reactions, isolated guinea pig trachea

Title: Immunological and respiratory findings in swine farmers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Schachter, Neil; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Goswami, Satindra; Maayani, Saul; Marom, Zvi; Rienzi, Nicholas

Journal: Environmental Research
ISSN: 0013-9351
Volume: 56
Year: 1991
Pages: from 120 to 130
Number of references: 22
Language: engleski
Summary: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacityabnormalities in relation to immunological status was studied in32 swine farmers and in 39 control. A large number of swinefarmers reacted to swine confinement building antigen (43%-78%).Control workers also reacted to these antigens in similarfrequencies. Increased serum IgE levels were found in 9% of swinefarmers and in 2% of control workers; they all exhibited apositive skin reaction to swine antigen. Swine farmers withpositive skin reactions had across shift reduction of FEF5O andFEF25 significantly larger than those with negative skin tests.Preshift measurd ventilatory capacity data in swine farmers withpositive skin tests were significantly lower than in those withnegative skin tests. A water-soluble swine confinement buildingantigen causes a dose-related contraction of nonsensitized guineapig trachea smooth muscle studied in vitro. Our data indicatethat skin teting may be helpful in identifying workers at riskfor developing lung disease.
Keywords: Swine farmers, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, immunological reactions, isolated gunea pig trachea

Title: A ten-year follow-up study of cotton textile workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Ivanković, Davor; Schachter, Neil; Witek, Theodor; Ivanković, Davor (17352); Buck, Marion

Journal: American Review of Respiratory Disease
ISSN: 0003-9896
Volume: 143
Year: 1991
Pages: from 301 to 305
Number of references: 27
Language: engleski
Summary: A follow-up study of respiratory function in cotton workers wasperformed lO yars after the original study in 66 workers. Theprevalence of byssinosis at the time of follow-up study was 42I%compaed with 22% at the tim of the initial study. Similarprevalences were obtained in men and women cotton workers.Prevalence of alsmost all chronic respiratory symptoms wassignificantly higher during the second study. Significantacross-shift redctions in FVC and FRVl were documented duringboth surveys. The mean annual decline in ventilatory capacitywas greater thanj expected. The data indicates that continuedexposure to high dust concentrations in the cotton textileindustry is associated with an increasing prevalence ofrespiratory symptoms and progressive impairment of lung function.
Keywords: Cotton textile workers, follow-up study, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity

Title: Immunological status and respiratory findings in furriers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Štilinović, Luka (48334); Schachter, Neil; Kopjar, Branko

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 21
Year: 1992
Pages: from 433 to 441
Number of references: 25
Language: engleski
Summary: We studied 42 orkers occupationally exposed in the fur manufacturing industry. The prevalence of immediate skin reactions to antigen of animal hair varied from 2% to lO% oftested workers. Precipitating antibodies varied from 7% to l7%. Increaed total IgE was found in 9% of subjects. Chronicrespiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers withpositive skin tests and positive precipitins than among workers with negative tests. A high prevalence of acute symptomsduring the work shift was found among furriers. Mean acutereductions in ventilatory capacity over the work shift were recorded for most ventilatory parameters. Greater drops in respiratory parameters occurred in individuals with positiveprecipitins but not in those with positive skin tests. Our studysuggests that workers in the fur manufacturing industry develop acute an chronic respiratory problems often associated with specific indicators of atopy.
Keywords: Furriers, immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, occupational allergy, animal hair reaction

Title: Immunological and respiratory changes in animal food processing workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Schachter, Neil; Witek, Theodor; Maayani, Saul; Goswami, Satindra; Marom, Zvi; Rienzi, Nicholas

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 21
Year: 1992
Pages: from 177 to 91
Number of references: 38
Language: engleski
Summary: A group of 35 workers employed in the processing animal food and3O control workers were studied to assess the relation betweenrespiratory findings and immunological status. The frequencyof positive skin tests to animal food components varied from22%-82% in exposed and 2% in control workers. Significantlyhigher prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms were foundin exposed than in control workers. There was however, nosignificant difference in the prevalence of chronic respiratorysymptoms between animal food workers with positive and negativeskin tests to house dust or to fish flour or among those withincreased or normal IgE. There was a high frequency of acute symptoms which develop during work shift. There were significantmean across-shift reductions for all ventilatory capacity tests,being particularly pronounced for FEF25. Workers with positiveskin tests had significantly larger across-shift reductions inFEF25 than those with negative skin reactions. An aqueous extractof animal food dust caused a dose-related contractile response ofisolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Our datasuggest that in addition to any immunological response, animalfood dust also causes direct irritant or pharmacologicalreactions on the airways.
Keywords: Animal food dust, immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, occupational allergy, skin prick test, animal food processing workers

Title: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in swine confinement workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Žagar, Živojin; Schachter, Neil; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Kern, Josipa; Kern, Josipa (20746); Žagar, Živojin (55391)

Journal: British Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0007-1072
Volume: 49
Year: 1992
Pages: from 435 to 440
Number of references: 34
Language: engleski
Summary: A group of 59 swine confinement workers and 46 control workerswere studied for the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratorysymptoms and lung function changes. The prevalence of chronicrespiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough, dyspnea and chesttightness were significantly higher in exposed than in controlworkers. Smokers had significantly higher prevalences of chronicrespiratory symptoms than nonsmokers. In swine confinementworkers there was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms whichdevelop during work shift. Significant acute across-shiftreductions in lung function occurred in exposed workers, beinglargest for FEF25. Preshift ventilatory capacity values weresignificantly lower than predicted normal values. The dataindicates that exposure in swine confinement buildings isassociated with the development of respiratory impairment.
Keywords: Swine confinement workers, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, occupational asthma, smoking habit

Title: Immunological findings and respiratory function in cotton textile workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Schachter, Neil; Witek, Theodor; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Maayani, Saul; Buck, Marion; Rienzi, Nicholas

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 64
Year: 1992
Pages: from 31 to 37
Number of references: 44
Language: engleski
Summary: Immunological paramters were studied in a group of 24 cotton txtile workers. A group of 3O nonexposed workers served as a control. Coton workers underwent skin tsting with extracts ofcotton dust and cotton seed. Among them 33% had positive skintests with increased IgE serum levels. Only one among them hadsymptoms of byssinosis. Among control workers one had positiveskin tests but without increase of IgE. Both baseline lung function and across-shift changes did not differ between workerswith positive and negative skin tests or between workers withnormal or elevated IgE levels. Experiments in vitro on isolatedguinea pig tracheal smooth muscle with cotton dust extractdemonstrated a dose-dependent contractile response. Thesedata suggest that while immunological findings are frequent in textile workers, they correlate poorly with respiratory symptomsand function and may not be the basis for the airway obstruction.
Keywords: Cotton workers, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, immunological reactions, isolated guinea pig trachea

Title: Respiratory function in greenhouse workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Schachter, Neil; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405)

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 64
Year: 1993
Pages: from 521 to 526
Number of references: 37
Language: engleski
Summary: Respiratory function was studied in a group of l67 workers employed in greenhouses. In addition 8l workers were studied asa control. Exposed workers had significantly higher prevalencesof chronic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness and rhinitis than thecontrols. Smokers had higher prevalence of all symptoms thannonsmokers. There was a high prevalence of acute symptomsduring work shift. A large number of greenhouse workerscomplained of skin reactions to plant and pesticides(37)%. Exposed workers had significantly lower ventilatorycapacity measurements when compared with standardpredicted values. Smokers and nonsmokers had similar value oflung function. Greenhouse workers exposed for more than lO yearshad a significantly lower FEF25 than workers exposed for lessthan lO years. Our data indicates that occupational exposureto greenhoses my be asociated with the development of acute andchronic respiratory symptms and impairment ofventilatory capacity.
Keywords: Greenhouse workers, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, occupational dermatitis

Title: Respiratory function in workers employed in the glassblowing industry

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Butković, Dragan; Schachter, Neil; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405)

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 23
Year: 1993
Pages: from 835 to 844
Number of references: 25
Language: engleski
Summary: A group of 8O men employed in the glassblowing industry was studied in order to investigate the effect of this occupational exposure on respiratory function. Eighty nonexposed workers wereincluded in the study as control. Glassblowers had asignificantly higher prevalence of chronic bonchitis, nasalcatarrh, chronic sinusitis, and nasal bleeding tha controlworkers. Lenght of employment in the industry did not affect theprevalence of symptoms. Measurements of lung function amongglasblowers showed that there were significant increase in theforced vital capacity (FVC) and the maximum flow rates et 5O%and 25% of FVC on maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves (FEF5O, FEF25) across the work shift. Glassblowers hadsignificantly larger preshift FVC and FEVl measurements whencompared to controls. Additionally, residual volume (RV) wassignificantly incresed, while the diffusing capacity (DLCO)was normal. Our data indicate that employment in theglassblowing industry contributes to the development of chronicrespiratory findings.
Keywords: glassblowers, respiratory symptoms, lung function values

Title: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in workers in a vegetable pickling and mustard production facility

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Rienzi, Nicholas

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 64
Year: 1993
Pages: from 457 to 461
Number of references: 23
Language: engleski
Summary: A group of ll7 workers occupationally exposed in a picklingfactory was studied for the prevalence of acute and chronicrespiratory symptoms and lung function changes. Prevalence ofchronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than incontrol workers. There was also a high prevalence of acutesymtoms which develop during work shift in exposed workers.Measured ventilatory capacity tests were significantly lower thanpredicted normal values. Workers exposed for more than one yeardemonstrated greater across-shift reductions of all spirometricparameters than those with shorter xposure. Our data suggestthat occupational exposure in the pickling industry maycontribute to the development of acute and chronic respiratorysymptoms accompanied by lung function changes.
Keywords: Acid air pollution, pickling workers, respiratorni simptomi,plućna funkcija, spices

Title: Immunological findings in hemp workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Kanceljak, Božica; Schachter, Neil; Witek, Theodor; Maayani, Saul; Goswami, Satindra; Marom, Zvi; Rienzi, Nicholas

Journal: Environmental Research
ISSN: 0013-9351
Volume: 59
Year: 1992
Pages: from 35 to 361
Number of references: 23
Language: engleski
Summary: Immunological status and respiratory function were studied in42 textile workers occupationally xposed to hemp dust and in42 control workers. Skin prick tests were performed with extracts of hemp and flax dust. Considerably higher prevalencesof positive skin tests were recorded to flax than to hempdust. The prevalence of positive skin tests to hemp or flax extracts in control workers was considerbly lower. There wasalso a larger number of textile workers with increased IgE serumlevel in comparison to control workers. Textile workerswith positive skin tests had significantly higher prevalences ofchronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skintests. There were, however, no differences for acute symptoms between workers with positive and negative skin tsts.Acros-shift changes and baseline lung function were no differentwhen compared by immunological status. Water soluble extracts ofhemp dust causes a dose-related contraction of nonsensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Our results suggestthat frequent immunologic abnormalities can be documented inhemp workers; howver, these do not correlate withrespiratory findings.
Keywords: Hemp workers, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity, immunological reactions, isolated guinea pig trachea

Title: Organic dust disease of airways

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Schachter, Neil; Kanceljak, Božica; Witek, Theodor; Fein, Eduard

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 65
Year: 1993
Pages: from 135 to 140
Number of references: 69
Language: engleski
Summary: Exposure to aerosols of organic dusts such as coffee, tea,spices, soy, fur, and animal food in an occupational setting canaffect the respiratory health of industrial workers.Significantly higher prevalences for most chronic respiratory symptoms were found among exposed than among control workers.Smoking appears to aggravate these symptoms. A large number ofexposed workers cmpained of acute symptoms which develop duringthe work shift. Significant across-shift reduction wererecorded, particularly for the flow rates at 5O% and 25% ofvital capacity (FEF5O, FEF25). Comparison of preshift measuredventilatory capacity tests with predicted normal valuesindicates that these workers demonstrate obstructive changesaffecting primarily flow rates at low lung volumes. The datasuggest that exposure to organic aerosols in industrialsetting, particularly in conjuction with smoking, may beasociated with the development of chronic obstructive lungdisease.
Keywords: rganic aerosols, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity

Title: Respiratory function in sewage workers

Authors:: Žuškin, Eugenija (56030); Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Buck, Marion

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 23
Year: 1993
Pages: from 751 to 761
Number of references: 29
Language: engleski
Summary: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 74 sewage workers. The prevalence of chronic rspiratorysymptoms was higher in closed channel and drainage workers thanin controls, particularly for chronic cough, chronicphlegm, chronic bronchitis, and chest tightness. There was alsoa high prevalence of acute symptoms which develop during workshift, being particularly pronounced for eye irritation,dyspnea, dizziness, throat burning, and skin irritation.Baseline ventilatory capacity of exposed workers wassignificantly decreased compared to predicted normalvalues, particularly for FEF5O and FEF25, suggesting obstructivechanges in smaller airawys. Our data indicate that sewageworkers experience frequent acute and chronic respiratorysymptoms and exhibit objective evidence of respiratory dysfunction.
Keywords: Sewage workers, rspiratory symptoms, lung function, occupational hazards

Title: Respiratory functions and immunological reactions in sisal workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Kern, Josipa

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 66
Year: 1994
Pages: from 37 to 42
Number of references: 34
Language: engleski
Summary: A cross-sectional study of respiratory function was performed in 50 sisal textile workers in 1972. Twenty of the 50 sisal workers still employed in the sisal mill were reexamined 19 years later. At the time of the initial study were higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms in sisal compared with control workers. By the time of the follow-up study a significant increase had occured in almost all chronic respiratory symptoms among the 20 sisal workers. At the tme of the initial study there were similar and statistically significant across-shift reductions of FVC and FEV1 on Monday and the following Thursday of the work week. Across-shift reductions in FVC and FEV1 in 20 sisal workers at the follow-up study were larger than at the first measurement. Two sisal workers out of 20 (10.0%) had a positive skin test reaction to an extract sisal; both related symptoms of occupational asthma. In two sisal workers (10.0%) increased IgE was measured; one of these had symptoms of occupational asthma. Our data suggest that exposure to sisal dust in the textile industry may, in some workers, cause the development of respiratory difficulties. Immunological testing may be of value in identifying such workers at risk for occupational asthma.
Keywords: sisal workers, respiratory function, immunological status

Title: Respiratory function and immunological reactions in jute workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Kern, Josipa

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
Number: 1
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 66
Year: 1994
Pages: from 43 to 48
Number of references: 32
Language: engleski
Summary: A prospective study of respiratory function was performed in a group of 70 jute and 40 control workers. At the initial study there were consistently higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptomsin jute workers compared to control workers; however, the differences were statistically significantonly for dyspnea (P<0.05). At the follow-up study 19 out of the original 70 jute workersa were examined 19 years later. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms among these workers. Similar across-shift reductions of FVC and FEV1 were recorded on Monday and the following Thursday at the initial study. In the 19 jute workers followed prospectively there were similar across-shift reduction of FVC and FEV1 at the first and the follow-up study, the reduction being slightly larger for FEV1 than for FVC. Only one jute worker(5.3%) and two control workers (5.7%9 responded to skin testing with specific textile extracts. One of these workers had a positive response to skin testing with jute extract. Our data suggest that exposure to jute dust may cause the development of chronic respiratory symptoms in some workers.
Keywords: Jute workers, Respiratory function, Immunological reactions

Title: Respiratory symptoms and lung function in bus drivers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 26
Year: 1994
Pages: from 771 to 783
Number of references: 31
Language: engleski
Summary: Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as ventilatory capacity were studied in 116 bus drivers and 119 mechanics. Bus drivers and mechanics demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of most chronic respiratory symptoms when compared to control workers. In particular, lower airway symptoms of chest tightness and dyspnea and upper airway symptoms of nasal catarrh were significantly more prevalent among drivers and mecanics than among controls. Bus drivers and mechanics who were smokers had significantly higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms than nonsmoking bus drivers. Bus drivers and mechanics employed for more than 10 years also exhibited higher frequencies of respiratory symptoms than those exposed for 10 years or less. Many of the workers complained of acute symtoms during the work shift. The ventilatory capacity data demonstrated lower values for all parameters, particularly FEF25, compared to control worker values, for bus drivers and mechanics who were smokers. ur data indicated that long-term employment in the transport industry of bus drivers and mechanics, particularly in combination with smoking, may be associated with the dvelopment of chroni respiratory symptoms and lung function imairment.
Keywords: bus drivers, mechanics, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity

Title: Immunological and respiratory reactions in workers exposed to organic dusts

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Schachter, Neil; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Witek, Theodor

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 66
Year: 1994
Pages: from 317 to 324
Number of references: 60
Language: engleski
Summary: The relationship of skin reactivity and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE levels) to the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and to ventilatory capacity is examined in workers exposed to different organic aerosols. Ithe results from group of control workers similarly tested are also presented. Iworkers exposed to occupational allergens had positive skin tests more frequentlčy than did controls, except for soy been workers.Workers with positive skin tests to occupational allergens had a higher prevalence of almost all symptoms than those with negative skin tests. Workers with positive skin reactions in general had significantly higher serum IgE levels than did workers with negative skin reactions. There were across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity in all groups of exposed workers. There was, however, no correlation between acute and chronic lung function changes and skin reactivity or IgE values. The data suggest that although exposure to organic aerosols may be associated with frequent immunologic reactions, these findings do not predict objective respiratory impairment.
Keywords: immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity

Title: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in confectionary workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Kern, Josipa; Žuškin, Eugenija (56030)

Journal: Occupational and Environmental Medicine
ISSN: 1351-0711
Volume: 51
Year: 1994
Pages: from 435 to 439
Number of references: 38
Language: engleski
Summary: Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 288 workers employed in a confectionary plant. A group of 127 workers not exposed to confectionary manufacture were also studied as controls. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than in control workers being greatest for confectionary workers exposed to the dust of flour, talc, and starch and the vapours of alcohol. There was a high prevalence of acute irritative symptoms during the work shift in all groups of confectionary workers. Ibesides that, in all groups of confectionary workers there were statistically significant across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity. Preshift values of FEF50 and FEF25 were significantly lower than predicted values. The data suggest that some workers employed in confectionary plants may develop acute and chronic respiratory symptoms associated with changes in lung function.
Keywords: respiratory symptoms, ventilatory function, confectionery workers

Title: Immunologic findings in confectionary workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil

Journal: Annals of Allergy
ISSN: 0003-4738
Volume: 73
Year: 1994
Pages: from 521 to 526
Number of references: 41
Language: engleski
Summary: Objective: To assess immunologic and clinical findings of workers in a confectionary plant. Methods: Immunologic (skin test and serum IgE) and respiratory findings(simptoms and lung function) were studied in a group of 71 confectionary workers. Results: Skin prick testing with food extracts used in the manufacturing of candies and pastries demonstrated that the most frequent positive skin reaction occurred with extracts of cacao (31%), followed by reactins to chocolate, cocoa, haselnut, almond and sugar. Increased serum IgE levels were found in 13.0% and increased IgM serum levels in 52.1% of these confectionary workers. The prevalence of astma and dyspnea in workers with positive skin test was significantly higher than in workers with negative skin tests. There was a higher prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms during the work shift, but no significant association with immunologic tests was found. Preshift administation of DSCG significanly diminished across-shift reductions in FEF50 and FEF25for both skin test positive and skin test negative workers. Conclusion:These data suggested that exposure to envirinment factors in confectionary plants is associated with frequent respiratory symptoms of an irritative nature. Specific skin testing may be useful in characterizing confectionary workers at risk for the development of occupational asthma.
Keywords: immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms, confectionary workers

Title: Follow-up study of respiratory function in hemp workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 26
Year: 1994
Pages: from 103 to 115
Number of references: 32
Language: engleski
Summary: A 3-year follow-up study was performed on 38 women and 28 men from the originally studied textile workers employed in a soft hemp prosessing mill. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were recorded during the cross-sectional and the follow-up studies. High prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms persisted at the follow-up study. In particular, high prevalences of byssinosis were documented at both studied. Statistically significant mean across-shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests at the initial study. A large mean annual decline was calculated for FEV1 in women and for all ventilatory capacity parameters in men; these decline were greater for workers with symptoms of byssinosis than for those without.Exposure in the wor environment were measured with Hexhlet filters and revealed vbery high dust concentration at both initial and follow-up studies. Our data demonstrate that work in the hemp industry continues to have deterious effects on respiratory function.
Keywords: hemp workers, respiratory symptoms, lung function, byssinosis,textile workers

Title: Respiratory symptoms and immunological status in poultry food processing workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Stilinović, Luka

Journal: International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
Volume: 66
Year: 1994
Pages: from 339 to 342
Number of references: 25
Language: engleski
Summary: A group of 57 female workers employed in the processing of poultry food and 51 nonexposed control workers were studied to determ the possible relation between respiratory and immunological findings in poultry food workers. The prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in exposed than in control workers except for occupational asthma. Exposed workers with a positive skin prick test to poultry food extract demonstrated higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests, although the difference was statistically significant only for rhinitis. The most frequent skin reactions were found for poultry food extract. An increased IgE serum level was found in 33.3% of the exposed and in 7.8% of the control workers. The data confirm previous results indicating that occupational exposure to poultry food dust may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and immunological changes in exposed workers.
Keywords: poultry food workers, occupational exposure, respiratory symptoms, immunological reactions

Title: Immunological reactions and respiratory function in wool textile workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Kanceljak, Božica; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 28
Year: 1995
Pages: from 445 to 456
Number of references: 31
Language: engleski
Summary: Immunological status and respiratory functions were studied in group of 64 wool textile workers. A group of 46 workers not exposed to wool dust served as control. Skin testing was performed with different wool allergens (domestic and Australian) as well as with common allergens. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers on Mondays before and after the work shift. The prevalence of positive skinb tests to all allergens was higher in wool than in control workers, although the difference was statistically significant only for washed domestic wool. Increased serum IgE levels were more frequent in wool than in control workers. In wool textile workers there was higher prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. Significant across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity tests, as well as abnormal baseline lung function, were recorded in wool textile workers. In general, the prevalence of symptoms and the lung function abnormalities did not correlate with the results of specific wool skin tests. The data indicate that exposure to wool dust in some workers may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function. Immunologic abnormalities, although frequent in this group, do not appear to be associated with the severity of these changes.
Keywords: wool textile workers, immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms, lung function

Title: Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Authors:: Zuskin, Eugenija; Mustajbegović, Jadranka (168405); Schachter, Neil; Kanceljak, Božica

Journal: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
Volume: 27
Year: 1995
Pages: from 845 to 857
Number of references: 33
Language: engleski
Summary: In a groupp of 216 wool textile workers respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire as well as in 130 control workers. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls. A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift was also noted in wool workers. Expopsure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the work place had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF50 and FEF25 were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. The data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.
Keywords: wool textile workers, respiratory symptoms, lung function


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