Research Keyword: occupational health

Fusarium spp. in Metalworking Fluid Systems: Companions Forever

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Researchers analyzed over 48,000 metalworking fluid samples from machines worldwide over 10 years and found that fungal contamination is very common, especially on machine surfaces. While companies add chemicals called fungicides to prevent fungal growth, these chemicals have limited effectiveness and fungi often survive or adapt to them. As regulations increasingly restrict these fungicides, the manufacturing industry will need to find new ways to prevent fungal contamination by changing the chemical composition of metalworking fluids themselves.

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Efficacy of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus probiotic strains in treating chromate induced dermatitis

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This research shows that a beneficial bacteria called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus can help treat skin problems caused by chromate exposure, a common hazard for construction workers and factory employees. The bacteria work by reducing toxic chromate to a less harmful form through a special protein called flavin reductase. When tested on mice with chromate-induced skin damage, the probiotic treatment significantly improved skin healing and reduced inflammation. This suggests these beneficial bacteria could offer a safe, natural treatment for occupational skin conditions caused by heavy metal exposure.

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Advancing automated identification of airborne fungal spores: guidelines for cultivation and reference dataset creation

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Researchers developed standardized procedures to grow fungal spores in laboratories and prepare them for testing with automated detection devices. They tested 17 different fungal species commonly found in the air and created reference datasets to train computer algorithms to identify these spores. Two different detection technologies were evaluated, showing promising accuracies (55-95%) for identifying various fungal spores. This work provides a blueprint for other scientists to create reliable training data for automated air quality monitoring systems that track allergens and disease-causing fungi.

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Damp Buildings: Associated Fungi and How to Find Them

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This review identifies which fungi commonly grow in damp buildings and explains how to find them. It shows that certain fungi like Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor grow on different building materials when moisture is present. The guide provides information on proper sampling techniques and identification methods that building inspectors and health professionals need to effectively address moldy building problems.

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On site discrimination between two closely related commercial strains of oyster mushroom using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test

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Scientists developed a quick test to identify two specific types of oyster mushrooms (SPOPPO and ALLERPO) on farms or spawn production facilities. These sporeless mushroom varieties were created to protect workers from respiratory problems caused by mushroom spores. The new LAMP test can identify which strain is being grown in just 30 minutes using simple sample preparation, helping protect the breeding companies’ intellectual property rights from illegal copying.

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Deep cutaneous fungal infection in an immunocompetent individual caused by a biological pesticide: a rare case report

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A 66-year-old farmer developed recurring skin infections over 10 years from exposure to a biological pesticide containing a fungus called Purpureocillium lilacinum. Although this fungus is generally safe for healthy people, this case shows it can cause serious skin infections with prolonged exposure. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medication over three months. This case highlights the importance of proper safety measures when working with biological pesticides.

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