Correlation between Occupational Stress, Lifestyle, and Hyperglycemia among Obese and Non-Obese Middle-Aged Japanese Male Workers

The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between stress, lifestyle, and hyperglycemia among middle-aged Japanese male workers. We also analyzed the obese (OB) and non-obese (non- OB) groups pertaining to the risk of hyperglycemia. A total of 353 male employees aged between 50 and 59 years taking health checkup sat a company in Japan were examined. The data were collected using validated scales of occupational stress and medical examination. Of the 353 employees, 335 (effective response rate 95%) were analyzed. “Support from colleagues” and “reward from work” reported by the OB group were lower than the non-OB group. The items “eating until satiety” and “having greasy meal often” were significantly more common in the OB group than in the non-OB group. There was a significant correlation between less sleep time and hyperglycemia in the OB group than in the non-OB group. The non-OB group reported more overtime hours than the OB group. Hyperglycemia in the non-OB group was positively correlated with long working hours, “workload,” and “mental workload.” The results indicated that the OB group would benefit from lifestyle interventions, for example, improvement in sleep time and eating habits may prevent hyperglycemia and eventually in obesity. Furthermore, it was suggested that stress in response to “workload” and “mental workload” owing to long working hours leads to hyperglycemia in the non-OB group. Therefore, the improvement of the workplace environment, reducing the number of hours at work, and stress management are required to prevent hyperglycemia in the non-OB group.

Incidenee and time-varying predictors of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among male sex workers in Mexico City

Background:Male sex workers are at high-risk for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections(STIs),including human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).We quantified incidence rates of STIs and identified their time-varying predictors among male sex workers in Mexico City.Methods:From January 2012 to May 2014,male sex workers recruited from the largest HIV clinic and community sites in Mexico City were tested for chlamydia,gonorrhea,syphilis,hepatitis,and HIV at baseline,6-months,and 12-months.Incide nee rates with 95%bootstrapped confide nee limits were calculated.We examined potential timevarying predictors using generalized estimating equations for a population averaged model.Results:Among 227 male sex workers,median age was 24 and baseline HIV prevalence was 32%.Incidence rates(per 100 person-years)were as follows:HIV[5.23;95%confidence interval(CI):2.15-10.31],chlamydia(5.15;95%CI:2.58-9.34),gonorrhea(3.93;95%CI:1.88-7.83),syphilis(13.04;95%CI:8.24-19.94),hepatitis B(2.11;95%CI:0.53-4.89),hepatitis C(0.95;95%CI:0.00-3.16),any STI except HIV(30.99;95%CI:21.73-40.26),and any STI including HIV(50.08;95%CI:37.6062.55).In the multivariable-adjusted model,incident STI(excluding HIV)were lower among those who reported consistently using condoms during anal and vaginal intercourse(odds ratio=0.03,95%CI:0.00-0.68)compared to those who reported inconsistently using condoms during anal and vaginal intercourse.Conclusions:Incidence of STIs is high among male sex workers in Mexico City.Consistent condom use is an important protective factor for STIs,and should be an important comp on ent of interventions to prevent incide nt infect i ons.

Effect of benzene,toluene,xylene on the semen quality of exposed workers

Objective To examine the effects on semen and sperm quality of workers after a short and long term exposure to benzene, toluene, and xylene Methods The semen and blood of 24 married workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene from shoemaking, spray painting, or paint manufacturing factories were collected The concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylene in the blood and semen was determined by using headspace chromatographic method Routine sperm test was carried out and acrosin activity detected Results The results showed that benzene, toluene, and xylene were found in the blood and semen of some ex workers in a working environment where the air concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylene exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) This result was not found in workers of the control group There were also some effects on the quality of semen in the exposed workers For example, the percentage of semen with liquefaction time exceeding 30 minutes increased The sperm vitality, motility and acrosin activity decreased At the same time, there were a positive correlation between liquefaction time and the level of toluene in semen, and a negative correlation between sperm vitality, sperm activity or acrosin activity and working history Conclusions The results suggested that the mixture could affect the quality of semen and sperm, which might be the main reason of the abnormal pregnancy outcome among the wives of workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene Further studies are, however, required to confirm these findings