Effects of whole-body vibration stress on substance P- and neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain.

In order to clarify the involvement of substance P (SP) and neurotensin (NT) neurons in the response of organisms to stress, SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and NT-like immunoreactivity (NT-LI) were determined in various regions of the rat brain following exposure to the whole-body vibration (20 Hz, 4 G, 90 min). SP-LI and NT-LI in the rat brain were measured by means of a sensitive and specific double-antibody solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. SP-LI in the frontal cortex was significantly reduced following whole-body vibration, while that in the nucleus accumbens and amygdala was significantly increased. NT-LI in both the frontal cortex and the hypothalamus of rats exposed to the whole-body vibration was significantly increased. However, striatal SP-LI and NT-LI remained unchanged. The present findings indicate that the SP and NT neuronal systems in various brain areas are involved in the response to stress. The frontal and amygdalofugal SP and hypothalamic NT neuronal systems, in particular, may have an important role in mediating the response of organisms to the whole-body vibration-induced stress.     

Activation of cerebral dopaminergic systems by noise and whole-body vibration.

To clarify the involvement of the central nervous system in responses of organisms to noise and whole-body vibration, the activity of dopamine (DA) neuron systems was estimated by examining DA turnover rates in various discrete regions of the brains of rats exposed to noise (broad band, 102 dB) or whole-body vibration (20 Hz, 4G) for 90 min. Plasma corticosterone level (COR) was determined simultaneously as an index of stress-induced autonomic-nervous and endocrine functions. Noise and whole-body vibration increased both COR and DA turnover rates (shown by an increase of homovanillic acid (HVA) and/or HVA/DA ratio) in the frontal cortex (FC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Only noise increased the DA turnover rate in the amygdala (AMY). Furthermore, strong positive correlations of the HVA/DA ratios in the FC and the NAc with COR were observed in rats exposed to noise or vibration. These results suggest that the responses of organisms to noise and whole-body vibration may be critically mediated by cerebral DA systems, in particular by the mesocortical DA system, indicating that change of DA in the AMY can be considered a specific response to noise.     

Effects of whole-body vibration exposure on DOPAC and VIP-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain]

In order to clarify the involvement of cerebral 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in whole-body vibration stress, DOPAC and VIP-like immunoreactivity (VIP-LI) in various discrete brain regions of rats exposed to whole-body vibration (4G, 20 Hz, 90 min) were assayed. The results showed that the whole-body vibration increased the DOPAC level in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, but did not induce a concurrent change of VIP-LI in these regions. VIP-LI was significantly increased in the amygdala, and decreased in the hippocampus, accompanied by no significant change of DOPAC. These results show that whole-body vibration affects cerebral VIP neuron systems in addition to its nonspecific action, i.e. the activation of mesofrontal and mesoaccumbens dopamine neuron systems. It is assumed that the amygdalofugal VIP neuronal system is involved in the regulation of hypothalamic and pituitary hormone secretions, and that VIP in the hippocampus plays a part in modulating the blood circulation in the cortex in whole-body vibration stress.     

Cognitive performance and subjective experience during combined exposures to whole-body vibration and noise

Objective The goal of this study was to examine the effects of noise and whole-body vibration, individually and combined, and at various stimulus intensity levels, on cognitive performance and subjective experience.Method Fifty-four participants (27 men and 27 women) with a mean age of 25 years, ranging from 19 to 30, were exposed for 20 min each to a 16-Hz sinusoidal whole-body vibration, a helicopter sound at 21 Hz, both stimuli combined, and a control condition. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: low intensity [77 dB(A) noise and 1.0 m/s² vibration], medium intensity [81 dB(A)/1.6 m/s²] or high intensity [86 dB(A)/2.5 m/s². During each environmental exposure, short-term memory performance was tested with a visual Sternberg paradigm. Reaction time was measured as a dependent variable. Directly following each environmental exposure, participants rated the difficulty of the task and the annoyance level of the exposure stimulus.Results Results revealed no significant changes in reaction times due to environmental exposure or intensity level. However, participants significantly rated the combined exposure as both more annoying and more difficult than the other conditions. Further, the high-intensity group rated subjective annoyance significantly higher than the other groups for all conditions.Conclusions The results from this study indicate that performance alone is not a sufficient measure for the study of the effects of combined stimuli on a human operator.     

基因与环境对婴幼儿气质的交互影响

婴幼儿气质指婴幼儿对外界环境和刺激在注意、运动、情绪反应和自我调节等方面表现出的反应模式,具有显著的个体差异,并且能够预测成年后的多种心理行为特质和问题。婴幼儿气质与很多基因相关,同时受产前环境、家庭环境等环境因素的影响。基因和环境的交互作用,共同促进了婴幼儿气质到个体稳定心理特质的发展,使气质既表现出相对稳定性,又具有一定的可塑性,但基因-环境交互作用机制尚不清楚,是未来研究的重要方向。     

介休市某焦炉煤气制甲醇技改项目职业病危害因素的检测与评价

目的检测、评价介休市某焦炉煤气制甲醇技改项目职业病危害因素及防护措施效果。方法采用现场调查和检测检验相结合的方法,进行定性和定量评价。结果项目存在粉尘、噪声、高温和热辐射、工频电场、全身振动、紫外辐射、手传振动、化学物质等职业病危害因素。检测结果显示粉尘检测符合职业接触限值。物理因素的检测中噪声和工频电场的检测结果有部分超标。噪声危害主要集中在锅炉风机、空分设备、焦炉气压缩等,超标的主要原因是锅炉一次风机、二次风机等设备运行时产生了高强度的噪声,空分设备运行时压缩气体造成了高强度的气流噪声。工频电场超标处为110KV变电站处。化学物质检测均符合职业卫生限值。结论车间针对粉尘、化学物质、高温和热辐射、全身振动、手传振动、紫外辐射采取了有效的控制措施,但针对噪声和工频电场的职业病危害控制措施还需进一步完善。     

Isolated and combined effects of prolonged exposures to noise and whole-body vibration on hearing,vision and strain

Summary This study was carried out in order: (1) to examine the effects of isolated and combined prolonged exposures to noise and whole-body vibration on hearing, vision and subjectively experienced strain, and (2) to check the combined effects with repeated exposures. Six male subjects were exposed twice to noise (N) at 92 dBA, whole-body vibration (V) in the Z-axis at 4 Hz and 1.0 ms^–2 rms, and noise and vibration (NV) for 90 min with each condition. Temporary threshold shifts of hearing (TTS) and their integrals (ITTS) were measured at 4, 6, 10, and 12 kHz. Visual acuity was examined by means of a very sensitive test. Cross-modality matching (CMM) of the handgrip force was used to judge the subjectively experienced strain. NV induced a clear tendency of higher TTS and ITTS than N, with several significant differences most pronounced at 10 kHz. With repeated exposures, the effect of NV decreased, while the reactions to N and V remained unchanged. The individual reactions to NV differed. The influence of the duration of exposures on vision depended on the condition; N caused time-dependent changes, whereas V did not. CMM-data increased with the duration of the exposure during V and NV. N was generally judged to be more straining than V; NV caused higher strain than V during the first 30 min of exposure only. Correlations between different effects suggest certain links between them. Additionally, less motivation — daily obtained by a questionnaire — often correlated with higher ITTS during N and NV. The results also illustrate the combined effects on the individual susceptibility, repetition of exposure, the kind of response, and, possibly, the actual psychic state.Abbreviations CMM cross-modality matching - MVC maximum voluntary contraction force - N exposure condition: noise level 92dBA, no whole-body vibration - NV exposure condition: combined exposure to noise with a level of 92 dBA and wholebody vibration with 4 Hz, 1 ms^–2 rms - V exposure condition: whole-body vibration with 4 Hz, 1 ms^–2 rms - TTS temporary threshold shift - ITTS integral of temporary threshold shift - WBV whole-body vibration in the common sense This work was done in the Temporary International Research Team on Combined Effects of Noise and Vibration of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance of the Socialist Countries. The authors gratefully acknowledge the help and assistance of L.-M. Brumm, Y. Bening, M. Godau, G. Weber, and R. Vizcaino.     

Criteria for case definitions for upper limb and lower back disorders caused by mechanical vibration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This paper provides an overview on the evaluation and assessment of vibration exposure at the workplace, the long-term health effects caused by occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration and whole-body vibration, and the criteria for case definitions for vibration-induced upper limb and lower back disorders. Excessive exposure to hand-transmitted vibration from powered processes or tools is associated with an increased occurrence of symptoms and signs of disorders in the vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal systems of the upper limbs. The complex of these disorders is called hand-arm vibration syndrome. Long-term occupational exposure to intense whole-body vibration is associated with an increased risk for disorders of the lumbar spine and the connected nervous system. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The medical tools for the management of cases with suspected vibration-induced disorders include the case history, a complete physical examination, and special diagnostic investigations. The criteria for case definitions for upper limb disorders caused by hand-transmitted vibration (vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal) and for lower back disorders caused by whole-body vibration are discussed on the basis of the guidelines suggested by the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene.     

Effect of long-term outdoor air pollution and noise on cognitive and psychological functions in adults

It has been hypothesized that air pollution and ambient noise might impact neurocognitive function. Early studies mostly investigated the associations of air pollution and ambient noise exposure with cognitive development in children. More recently, several studies investigating associations with neurocognitive function, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease in adult populations were published, yielding inconsistent results. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence on air pollution and noise effects on mental health in adults. We included studies in adult populations (≥18 years old) published in English language in peer-reviewed journals. Fifteen articles related to long-term effects of air pollution and eight articles on long-term effects of ambient noise were extracted. Both exposures were separately shown to be associated with one or several measures of global cognitive function, verbal and nonverbal learning and memory, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms, elevated anxiety, and nuisance. No study considered both exposures simultaneously and few studies investigated progression of neurocognitive decline or psychological factors. The existing evidence generally supports associations of environmental factors with mental health, but does not suffice for an overall conclusion about the independent effect of air pollution and noise. There is a need for studies investigating simultaneously air pollution and noise exposures in association mental health, for longitudinal studies to corroborate findings from cross-sectional analyses, and for parallel toxicological and epidemiological studies to elucidate mechanisms and pathways of action.     

Cognitive after-effects of vibration and noise exposure and the role of subjective noise sensitivity

This study investigated the effects on attention performance after exposure to noise and whole-body vibration in relation to subjective noise sensitivity. Sixteen high and 16 low sensitivity male students, as determined by the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Questionnaire, participated in a within-subjects experiment. Noise and vibration stimuli similar to those usually occurring in forestry vehicles were presented either individually, combined or not at all in four separate sessions lasting approximately 44 min. After exposure, participants completed an attention task and made subjective ratings of alertness. No main effect of noise sensitivity was observed in MANOVA, thus the data was pooled with the data from a pilot study using the exact same procedure without using a noise sensitivity inclusion criterion. The combined data revealed performance degradation in the attention task after exposure to vibration, regardless as to whether it was presented alone or in combination with noise. Increased ratings of alertness after vibration exposure and decreased ratings of alertness after noise exposure were also found. Neither synergistic nor antagonistic effects were observed from the combined noise and vibration exposure.     

城镇化过程的交通噪声污染与健康问题

交通噪声污染对人群健康的影响是城镇化过程中应关注的重要环境与健康问题。目前,研究结果显示交通噪声暴露可对神经系统、心理健康和心血管系统等方面产生影响,已经成为影响公众身心健康的重要环境危险因素之一。在将来的研究中,亟待对不同类型交通噪声的健康影响差异开展进一步分析,并探索交通噪声与空气污染、绿地等其它相关环境因素的综合效应,为城镇化过程中交通噪声污染控制和人群健康防护提供科学依据。     

The role of multiple physical environmental factors on health of the population

Physical factors of urban environment (noise, electromagnetic fields) affect the process of the pathology development in children exposed to their effect at all the levels starting from the onset of early deviations in body nonspecific protection indices and up to the formation of chronic pathology. It has been established that all physical environmental factors negatively affect practically all the analyzed health indicators because of their nonspecific influence. At the same time it is demonstrated that the same factors have the most distinct effect on this or that system. Thus it becomes possible to exercise goal-oriented planning of environmental protection measures.     

Changes in hearing,cardiovascular functions,haemodynamics, upright body sway,urinary catecholamines and their correlates after prolonged successive exposures to complex environmental conditions

Summary This study deals with changes in temporary threshold shifts of hearing (TTS₂), cardiovascular functions (HR, SBP, DBP, PP, RWA), haemodynamic activity (HDI), upright body sway (VUBSA), ratios of urinary catecholamines (10A/DA, 10NA/DA, A/NA, NA/A) and correlations between these changes in complex exposure situations. The study was carried out in a special exposure chamber on 60 healthy male students. It was based on a factorial experimental design with a total of 12 exposure combinations. Each individual experiment took 6 h with a pause of 1 h at noon. There were 12 sequential exposure periods lasting 16 min each. A pause of 4 min followed each exposure period. The subjects were exposed to noise and whole body vibration at two different dry bulb temperatures. Noise classes were: (1) no noise, and (2) stable broad-band noise of 90 dBA. Vibration classes were: (1) no vibration, (2) a sinusoidal 5 Hz vibration, and (3) a stochastic vibration with a frequency range of 2.8 to 11.2 Hz along the Z-axis and with an acceleration of 2.12 m/s². Temperature classes were: (1) 20°C and (2) 35°C. Changes in body functions were registered during the pauses. Urine samples were gathered for the morning and afternoon sessions and for the preceding and the following night of the test. The changes were dependent on the combinations of noise, vibration and temperature to which the subjects were exposed. The TTS₂ values at 4 kHz were associated with the HDI-values when subjects were exposed simultaneously to noise and stochastic vibration at 35°C. The TTS₂ values at 6 kHz were associated most strongly with the HDI values after exposure to a combination of noise, stochastic or sinusoidal vibration and a temperature of 20°C. The TTS₂ values at 4 and 6 kHz correlated positively with the NA/A ratio when subjects were exposed to noise at 35°C. The association between TTS₂ values and the 10A/NA ratio and especially the A/NA ratio was very strong when subjects had been simultaneously exposed to noise and sinusoidal or stochastic vibration at 35°C. Furthermore, the highest positive correlation coefficients were found between TTS₂ values at 4 kHz and VUBSA values in the X-direction when subjects had been exposed to noise or simultaneously to noise and sinusoidal vibration at 20°C. With vibration exposure at 35°C, noise led to an increase in the 10NA/DA and NA/A ratios, but with vibration exposure at 20°C, noise decreased the 10NA/DA and NA/A ratios. The exposure was reflected as a rise in the NA/A ratio during the night following the experiment. The variance analytical model as a whole explained 58 to 62% in the morning and 55 to 60% in the afternoon (TTS₂ values at 4 kHz), 50 to 62% and 45 to 50% (TTS₂ values at 6 kHz), 9 to 12% and 9 to 19% (HR values), 16 to 31% and 23 to 36% (SBP values), 3 to 7% and 2 to 6% (DBP values), 7 to 12% and 9 to 13% (PP values), 5 to 8% and 1 to 3% (RWA values), 10 to 18% and 12 to 23% (HDI values), 6 to 7% and 7% (VUBSA values in X direction), 1% and 1 to 8% (VUBSA values in the Y direction), 18% and 20% (10A/DA), 17% and 20% (10NA/DA), 28% and 24% (A/NA), and 27% and 21% (NA/A) of the variation in the values of the variables involved. Some results were presented in Kanazawa, Japan, at the Second International Conference on the Combined Effects of Environmental Factors, September 28–October 1, 1986     

Noise and health--sleep disturbance in adults

Factors modifying the effect of environmental noise on sleep include sex, age, susceptibility, personality and the health status, including past and present history of disease. Objective: The effects of noise on sleep and habituation of sleep to noise were summarized. Results and conclusions: 1) The effect of noise on sleep is associated with physical changes, such as changes in heart rate, blood flow volume, breathing and the immune and neurocirculatory systems. During sleep, specific changes in these indicators are noted during different sleep stages. There are individual and sex differences, and it is important to understand the effects of noise on sleep considering several related factors. 2) Habituation to noise is also an important phenomenon that must be addressed while considering the effects of noise on sleep. Habituation is dependent on the type and sound level of the noise. In occupational fields, shift work and job stress should be considered to determine the association between noise and sleep, which is important to retaining a good quality of working life.     

Public policy and environmental noise: modeling exposure or understanding effects.

This paper argues that if the federal government is to successfully protect the public from the adverse effects of environmental noise, its policies will need to be informed by a scientific understanding of the psychological and social factors that determine when noise results in annoyance and when noise may affect health as an environmental stressor. The overreliance of federal agencies on mathematical modeling of average group responses to physical noise levels is discussed as oversimplifying and limiting the understanding of noise effects in crucial ways. The development of a more sophisticated information base is related to policy needs, such as the need to make accurate predictions about the annoyance of particular communities, the need to understand relationships between public participation in noise abatement efforts and annoyance, and the need to identify populations that may be susceptible to stress-related health effects.     

环境表观遗传学研究进展

在许多复杂疾病如肿瘤、心血管系统疾病等的发生发展过程中,遗传学机制和环境因素均发挥着重要的作用。遗传学的核心研究内容集中在基因突变、基因重组等基因序列的改变,而目前的研究发现除基因序列外,还存在着其他一些因素影响着基因的表达。表观遗传学即是研究除基因序列改变之外,基因功能的可逆的、可遗传的改变,主要有DNA甲基化、组蛋白乙酰化、微小RNA等。随着环境医学研究的不断深入,表观遗传的重要作用得以凸显,表观遗传的改变不仅可以解释某些疾病的发病机制,而且还可以作为疾病早期诊断和预防的标志。环境中化学因素、物理因素、生物因素和精神心理以及其他因素的表观遗传学改变已被证实与疾病密切相关,因此了解环境中各种因素的表观遗传效应十分必要。     

The effects of combined exposure to road traffic noise and whole body vibration on types of attention among men

Background: Noise and vibration are considered as harmful physical agents in the environment which have adverse effects on cognitive performance. One of the occupations at risk is driving, where there is a possibility of simultaneous exposure to road traffic noise and whole body vibration (WBV) transferred through the vehicle. This study aims to assess the effects of single and combined exposure to road traffic noise and WBV on different types of attention in men. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 24 men in 4 steps, executed on each participant inside an acoustic room. After recording a number of various attention scores at background conditions (27 dBA noise, no vibration) the participants were given single and combined exposure to noise levels at 55 and 85 dBA and vibration magnitude of 0.65 and 0.95 m/s² r.m.s. Results: As for combined exposure to noise and vibration, increasing vibration acceleration and noise levels at the same time compared to background condition caused a rise in the score of all visual attention types among groups exposed to low vibration acceleration and those exposed to medium acceleration and low noise. Nevertheless, when noise level and vibration acceleration is increased at the same time compared to background, auditory attention type scores mostly fell among groups with similar vibration accelerations. Conclusions:Overall, single and combined exposure to environmental stressors under investigation had a predominantly negative effect on auditory attention while the effects on visual attention were inconclusive. Definitive conclusions however require further systematic and comprehensive experiments.     

Non-acoustical factors in noise management at Heathrow Airport

Non-acoustic factors in environmental noise can be broadly defined as all those factors other than noise level alone which contribute to noise annoyance and similar effects. Noise levels such as LAeq provide a good indication of the amount of physical noise present, and changes in physical noise level can be expected to correlate with changes in resident's perception, at least to some degree. On the other hand, a flexible approach to noise management based on wide consultation and communication can be extremely important. At Heathrow Airport over the last 20 to 30 years, overall aircraft noise levels have reduced because of the phasing out of the older noisier Chapter 2 aircraft types, but there are also other strategies in place which are clearly regarded as being effective both by airport management and by local community representatives and which are not as easily quantified in terms of noise level alone. This paper describes the background to noise management at Heathrow in some detail and draws a general conclusion that taking non-acoustic factors into account in addition to physical noise levels alone has been of considerable benefit over the years.     

Effects of vibration, noise and restraint on heart rate, blood pressure and renal blood flow in the pig

Pigs and other farm animals are usually transported at least once during their lives; for example, all meat animals are finally taken to the abattoir for slaughter. The vibration, noise and handling associated with such transportation is usually novel to the animals, and therefore constitutes a potential 'stressor'. Such adverse stimuli may trigger physiological and psychological changes which rapidly produce profound changes in blood flow to peripheral organs, particularly the kidney, whose blood vessels are richly supplied with sympathetic nerve fibres. In the present study, ultrasonic techniques have been used with chronically implanted flow sensors for measuring heart rate (HR) and changes in renal blood flow (RBF) in conscious, freestanding and unanaesthetized pigs to monitor their cardiovascular responses to vibration, noise and various handling procedures. In addition, arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured via a catheter placed in the carotid artery. To ensure that vibration and noise could be accurately reproduced, a transport simulator (TS) was constructed in the laboratory. A small decrease of approximately 5% was observed in RBF during the first few minutes of exposure to vibration and noise, but this returned to the control levels monitored in undisturbed animals within a few minutes. Thereafter, RBF became significantly elevated for the remaining period of exposure to vibration and noise. In contrast, HR remained significantly increased throughout. BP was not significantly changed as a result of the experimental manipulation. Restraint and handling of the animals appeared to cause maximal disturbance. HR and BP were more than doubled compared with the resting value, but there was a concomitant marked decrease in RBF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Effects of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moms and Teens for Safe Dates</Emphasis> Program on Dating Abuse: a Conditional Process Analysis

Moms and Teens for Safe Dates (MTSD) is a dating abuse (DA) prevention program for teens exposed to domestic violence. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), MTSD prevented certain types of DA victimization (psychological and physical) and perpetration (psychological and cyber) among teens with higher, but not lower, exposure to domestic violence. We built on these findings by using moderated mediation analysis to examine whether level of teen exposure to domestic violence conditioned the indirect effects of MTSD on these types of DA through targeted mediators. MTSD consisted of six mailed activity booklets. Mothers who had been former victims of domestic violence delivered the program to their teens. Mother and teen pairs were recruited into the RCT through community advertising and completed baseline and 6-month follow-up interviews (N?=?277 pairs). As expected, MTSD had significant favorable effects for teens with higher but not lower exposure to domestic violence on several mediators that guided program content, including teen conflict management skills and mother-perceived severity of DA, self-efficacy for enacting DA prevention efforts, and comfort in communicating with her teen. MTSD had significant main effects on other mediators including teen feeling of family closeness and cohesion and mother-perceived susceptibility of her teen to DA. As expected, all significant indirect effects of MTSD on DA outcomes through mediators were for teens with higher exposure to domestic violence. Findings have implications for developing DA victimization and perpetration prevention programs for teens with high exposure to domestic violence.