Shift work and serum 25-OH vitamin D status among factory workers in Northern Italy: Cross-sectional study

Low levels of vitamin D are related to muscle weakness, poor balance, and higher risk of falls, and can therefore have a major impact on performance and safety at work. Little knowledge exists on the association between work environment and vitamin D status. This study evaluates vitamin D status in shift workers. In this cross-sectional study, led during early springtime, 96 male shift workers at an engineering factory in Northern Italy, and 100 male daily workers operating nearby, participated. 25-OH vitamin D concentration, anthropometric indexes, fasting glycemia and triglycerides were detected. 51 shift workers underwent anamnesis collection on lifestyle and habits and determination of heel bone mineral density. Vitamin D levels were lower in shift workers than daily ones (13.4?±?5.3 ng/mL versus 21.9?±?10.7 ng/mL, p?<?0.001). Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index and smoking habits confirms a statistically significant association between shift work and vitamin D levels (p?<?0.0001). An association trend between cigarette smoking and low vitamin D values was found. No significant association was detected between the heel bone mineral density values and vitamin D levels or smoking habits. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study highlights the high prevalence of vitamin D deficit among shift workers compared with daily ones.     

The effects of exposure to night shift work on liver function: A cross-sectional study with emphasis of alkaline phosphatase enzyme

ABSTRACT

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that shift work can be significantly associated with adverse effects on liver function. However, the association between shift work and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme as a well-known biomarker of liver disease has been undefined. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total number of 6,475 eligible oil refinery workers. According to shift work schedules, the participants divided to the following groups: 12-hr rotating night (n = 2,630) and 12-hr fixed day (n = 3845). The Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression were applied to assess the association between shift work and ALP. Results: We found significantly higher levels of ALP in 12-hr rotating night compared to 12-hr fixed-day shift work groups (196.2 ± 52.1 versus 191.5 ± 53.4). According to quartile (Q) logistic regression adjusted by significant variables between study group (age, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, and total cholesterol), the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of high (Q2–<Q3 versus <Q1) and severe (≥Q3 versus <Q1) levels of ALP in 12-hr rotating night group in comparison to 12-hr fixed-day group were estimated as 1.26 (1.08–1.45) and 1.26 (1.09–1.45), respectively. Conclusions: This study indicated that 12-hr rotating night shift work may be associated with higher levels of ALP. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.     

兰州市1907例不同年龄正常人群骨密度测定综合分析

目的：了解兰州地区正常人群骨密度的变化特点,分析其变化规律,为预防和治疗骨质疏松症提供科学依据。方法：使用天津圣鸿公司SHY-I数字式骨密度测定仪对兰州地区1907人进行检测,其中男1381例,女526例,分别做左前臂尺、桡骨测量。年龄20～85岁,每10岁为一年龄组进行统计分析。结果：男、女组骨密度峰值均在30-39岁,峰值后随年龄增加而骨密度下降,女性下降较男性显著。骨量减少及骨质疏松患病率在40岁后随年龄增长而增高,女性高于男性。老年人骨量减少及骨质疏松患病率高于中青年人,老年女性骨质疏松患病率与老年男性比较有明显差异（P〈0．05）。结论：兰州地区健康人群骨密度随年龄变化,并与性别有关。骨密度的检测在骨质疏松症的早期预防和治疗中具有重要意义。     

Job strain and vagal recovery during sleep in shift working health care professionals

Within sample female nurses/nurse assistants in three shift work, we explored the association of job strain with heart rate variability before and during sleep. The participants (n?=?95) were recruited from the Finnish Public Sector Study, from hospital wards that belonged either to the top (high job strain [HJS], n?=?42) or bottom quartiles on job strain (low job strain [LJS], n?=?53) as rated by Job Content Questionnaire responses. A further inclusion criterion was that participants' own job strain was at least as high (HJS group) or low (LJS group) as their ward's average estimation. Three-week field measurements included sleep diary and actigraphy to study the participants' sleep patterns and sleep–wake rhythm. A subset of three pre-selected, circadian rhythm and recovery controlled measurement days, one morning shift, one night shift and a day off, included 24-h heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. The bootstrapped HRV parameters (HR, HF, LF, LF-to-HF-ratio and RMSSD) 30?min before and during 30?min of sleep with lowest average heart rate showed no statistically significant job strain group differences. No association of exposure to stressful work environment and HRV before and during sleep was found.     

Is 24-hour energy intake greater during night shift compared to non-night shift patterns? A systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Epidemiological studies show that shift workers are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, and obesity. Previous research has shown no difference in energy intake between night and day shifts only; however, it remains unclear whether other non-night shift patterns are different to night shift.

Objectives: We investigated whether energy intake of night-shift workers differed from other shift patterns using calorimetry, food diary or food recall over 24-hour periods.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted searching CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase and PsycINFO databases for observational and interventional studies measuring energy intake in real or simulated shift work. Energy intake was extracted to compare night, day, afternoon/evening and rotating shift work cases.

Results: After duplicate removal, we screened 1057 abstracts and 68 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility of which 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were cross-sectional and case–control designs in shift workers. Risk of bias assessment showed a low to moderate risk of bias in the majority of studies. There was no difference in energy intake between night-shift work and non-night shift patterns including early morning, day and afternoon/evening shifts. Night-shift workers did not favor particular macronutrients in comparison to other shift schedules.

Conclusions: Energy and macronutrient intake were not detectably different in night shift compared to other shift patterns. Shift work patterns were heterogeneous which likely impacted on dietary assessment timings and computation of 24-h energy intake. Future studies should examine shift schedules with precise circadian timing of food consumption to determine if differences exist in energy and macronutrient intake between different shift patterns.     

兰州市1907 例不同年龄正常人群骨密度测定综合分析

目的:了解兰州地区正常人群骨密度的变化特点,分析其变化规律,为预防和治疗骨质疏松症提供科学依据。方法:使用天津圣鸿公司SHY-Ⅰ数字式骨密度测定仪对兰州地区1907人进行检测,其中男1381例,女526例,分别做左前臂尺、桡骨测量。年龄20～85岁,每10岁为一年龄组进行统计分析。结果:男、女组骨密度峰值均在30～39岁,峰值后随年龄增加而骨密度下降,女性下降较男性显著。骨量减少及骨质疏松患病率在40岁后随年龄增长而增高,女性高于男性。老年人骨量减少及骨质疏松患病率高于中青年人,老年女性骨质疏松患病率与老年男性比较有明显差异(P<0.05)。结论:兰州地区健康人群骨密度随年龄变化,并与性别有关。骨密度的检测在骨质疏松症的早期预防和治疗中具有重要意义。     

Bone mass toxicity associated with inhalation exposure to toluene

The inhalation of a wide range of organic solvents has become popular among young adults. Toluene is one of the most commonly used solvents in industry; it is easily available and conventient to use. Many toxicologic effects on biological systems secondary to deliberate inhalation of toluene have been reported, but investigations on adverse effects associated with bone morbidity is limited. The purpose of this study is to determine bone mineralization and investigate the adverse effects of toluene on bone. The bone mineral density and content of the femoral neck of mice exposed to toluene at 300 ppm for 8 wk were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and found significantly reduced compared to the control group. Chronic exposure to toluene was found to affect bone metabolism, and toluene-induced changes could contribute to bone resorption and inhibition of bone formation. Toluene seems to be the responsible component for the demineralizating effects of commonly abused substances, and medical doctors must promote their education about the health hazards in those who abuse solvents especially in areas where inhalant abuse is endemic.     

Extraordinarily low bone mineral density in an old female chimpanzee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii</Emphasis>) from the Mahale Mountains National Park

We examined bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae of four chimpanzee skeletons from Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, and four captive ones, with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometer. The BMD of Wansombo, an old female chimpanzee from Mahale , was remarkably lower than the mean of the other six younger adult female chimpanzees and categorized as osteoporosis. Posture, locomotion, and trunk-sacral anatomy of chimpanzees may have prevented fractures in Wansombo, whose BMD was below human osteoporosis criteria. Electronic Publication     

强度不同的间歇跑台训练对生长期大鼠骨代谢及相关激素的影响

目的:探讨强度不同的间歇跑台训练对生长期大鼠骨代谢的影响,以期为青少年训练强度的制定提供理论支持。方法:选取4周龄雄性wistar大鼠70只,根据体重随机搭配分成7组(n=10):即对照组和运动组。运动组按照大鼠摄氧量分为:65%组,70%组,75%组,80%组,85%组和90%组。跑台训练9周,每周训练6 d,每组训练分3次,每次不低于10 min,中间间隔30 min。最后一次运动后24 h,取股骨和血进行骨密度(BMD)、骨量(BMC)和血清中的碱性磷酸酶(AKP),抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(Str-ACP)的测定。结果:①70%组股骨的BMD(0.1393±0.0031)、BMC(0.4525±0.0335)显著高于对照组(BMD:0.1200±0.0095,BMC:0.3238±0.0485)和其他各运动组(65%组BMD:0.1339±0.0062、BMC:0.4058±0.0492,75%组BMD:0.1296±0.0015、BMC:0.3869±0.0254,80%组BMD:0.1223±0.0082、BMC:0.3454±0.0483,85%组BMD:0.1250±0.0044、BMC:0.3731±0.0381,90%组BMD:0.1171±0.0047、BMC:0.3051±0.0286)(P<0.05),90%组的BMD、BMC低于对照组但未达到显著水平,其他各运动组均高于对照组;②各运动组血清AKP均显著高于对照组,其中65%组(41.015±2.114)、70%组(46.035±2.611)、75%组(43.834±3.155)、80%组(38.043±4.073)血清AKP非常显著高于对照组(26.875±1.188)(P<0.01),70%组和75%组血清AKP显著高于80%组、85%组、90%组(P<0.05),同时70%组血清AKP显著高于65%组(P<0.05),这说明70%VO2max的训练强度成骨细胞最活跃。各运动组血清StrACP均显著高于对照组,随着训练强度的增加,血清StrACP水平呈上升趋势,80%组(22.430±1.591)、85%组(23.990±1.870)、90%组(28.009±1.839)血清StrACP显著高于65%组(18.503±2.429)、70%组(16.447±2.120)和75%组(17.769±1.642)(P<0.05),90%组血清StrACP均显著高于80%组和85%组(P<0.05)。结论:70%VO2max的中等强度间歇跑台训练使生长期大鼠骨量、骨密度增加最明显。     

1.8 mT不同频率正弦交变电磁场对青年大鼠骨密度及骨形态计量的影响比较

比较不同频率的正弦交变电磁场对SD青年大鼠骨密度及骨形态计量指标的影响,筛选可有效提升大鼠骨密度的频率参数。将32只8周龄SD雌性大鼠随机分为4组:对照组、15 Hz组、30 Hz组、45 Hz组;除对照组外,实验组大鼠每天都给予相应频率的1.8 m T正弦交变电磁场干预,干预时间为90 min。磁场干预8周后,双能X射线骨密度仪检测大鼠全身骨密度、右侧股骨骨密度和椎骨骨密度,ELISA分析血清中骨形成与骨吸收生化指标的含量,右侧胫骨进行荧光间距测量与骨形态计量分析。相比于对照组,15 Hz组、45 Hz组大鼠的全身骨密度、股骨骨密度、椎骨骨密度均明显升高(P0.05),血清中骨钙素与骨保护素含量也显著提升(P0.05);实验组大鼠的胫骨双荧光间距与骨组织静态参数均高于对照组(P0.05)。结果表明,15 Hz、45 Hz正弦交变电磁场可有效提升青年大鼠的骨密度,从而可预防骨质疏松的发生。     

Stress and sleep in nurses employed in “3 × 8” and “2 × 12” fast rotating shift schedules

We compared two “3?×?8” shift rotas with backward rotation and quick return (morning and night shift in the same day) in a 5- or 6-day shift cycle, and a “2?×?12” shift rota with forward rotation in a 5-d shift cycle. A total of 294 nurses (72.6% women, mean age 33.8) were examined in a survey on work-related stress, including the Standard Shiftwork Index. Ten nurses per each shift roster recorded their activity and rest periods by actigraphy, rated sleepiness and sleep quality, and collected salivary cortisol throughout the whole shift cycle. Nurses engaged in the “2?×?12” rota showed lower levels of sleep disturbances and, according to actigraphy, sleep duration was more balanced and less fragmented than in the “3?×?8” rosters. The counter-clockwise shift rotation and quick return of “3?×?8” schedules reduce possibility of sleep and recovery. The insertion of a morning shift before the day with quick return increases night sleep by about 1?h. Nurses who take a nap during the night shift require 40% less sleep in the morning after. The “2?×?12” clockwise roster, in spite of 50% increased length of shift, allows a better recovery and more satisfying leisure times, thanks to longer intervals between work periods. Sleepiness increased more during the night than day shifts in all rosters, but without significant difference between 8-h and 12-h rosters. However, the significantly higher level at the start of the night shift in the “3?×?8” rotas points out that the fast backward rotation with quick return puts the subjects in less efficient operational conditions. Some personal characteristics, such as morningness, lability to overcome drowsiness, flexibility of sleeping habits and age were significantly associated to sleep disturbances in nurses engaged in the “3?×?8” rotas, but not in the “2?×?12” schedule.     

Characterisation of the temporal sequence of osteoblast gene expression during estrogen-induced osteogenesis in female mice

Osteoblast differentiation under in vitro conditions is associated with increased expression of non-collagenous bone proteins including osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin, the exact function of which remain poorly understood. To determine whether these proteins play an important role in the formation of mineralised bone matrix by osteoblasts in vivo, we analysed the time-course of their expression during estrogen-induced osteogenesis in female mice, and compared this with the formation of new cancellous bone. Female mice were sacrificed prior to or following treatment with 17beta-estradiol for up to 32 days (500 microg/animal/week). Total RNA was extracted from femurs, and changes in expression of genes for a range of osteoblast-derived proteins assessed by Northern blot analysis. In parallel experiments, the time course of cancellous bone formation was determined by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal femur. Estrogen led to a rapid increase in BMD, which reached significance by Day 16. This was preceded by three-fold increases in expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and type I collagen (COL I) at Days 8 and 12 respectively. In contrast, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin expression showed no change during this initial period, although modest increases were observed at later times (i.e., Days 20 and 24). Our results suggest that osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin are not involved in the initial phase of the osteogenic response to estrogen, suggesting that these non-collagenous bone proteins do not play a direct role in the formation of mineralised bone matrix by osteoblasts in vivo.     

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis may increase the tendency to development of osteoporosis by decreasing bone mineral density

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bony microarchitecture. It is a chronic condition of multifactorial etiology and is usually clinically silent until a fracture occurs. Fatty liver disease can range from fatty liver alone (steatosis) to fatty liver associated with inflammation. This state can occur with the use of alcohol (alcohol-related fatty liver) or in the absence of alcohol (NASH). It has been known that liver has important a role in bone metabolism via production of the active vitamin D. Here, we have discussed whether a relationship between NASH and osteoporosis.