Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of symptoms that can be attributed to exposure to specific building conditions. The present study recruited 389 participants aged 20–65 years from 87 offices of 16 institutions to examine if personal factors, work-related psychosocial stress, and work environments, were associated with five groups of SBS symptoms, including symptoms for eyes, upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, and non-specific systems. Indoor environmental conditions were monitored. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analyses and were reported as adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR). SBS symptoms for eyes were associated with older age, sensitivity to tobacco, and low indoor air flow. Upper respiratory symptoms were related to smoking, low social support, longer work days, and dry air. High indoor air flow was associated with reduced upper respiratory symptoms (aOR = 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.13–0.67). Lower respiratory symptoms were associated with high work pressure, longer work hours, chemical exposure, migraine, and exposure to new interior painting. Recent interior painting exposure was associated with a high estimated relative risk of low respiratory symptoms (aOR = 20.6; 95% CI = 2.96–143). Smoking, longer work days, low indoor air flow, indoor dryness, and volatile organics exposure, were associated with other non-specified symptoms including headache, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, anger, and dizziness. In conclusion, there are various SBS symptoms associated with different personal characteristics, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Psychosocial factors had stronger relationships with lower respiratory symptoms than with other types of SBS symptoms. Good ventilation could reduce risk factors and may relieve SBS symptoms.

This study aimed to develop a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detectable boron (B)-containing nanoassemblies and evaluate their potential for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Starting from the citrate-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) (23.9 ± 10.2 nm), the diameter of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) AuNPs (PLGA-AuNPs) increased approximately 110 nm after the encapsulation of the PLGA polymer. Among various B drugs, the self-produced B cages had the highest loading efficiency. The average diameter of gadolinium (Gd)- and B-loaded NPs (PLGA-Gd/B-AuNPs) was 160.6 ± 50.6 nm with a B encapsulation efficiency of 28.7 ± 2.3%. In vitro MR images showed that the signal intensity of PLGA-Gd/B-AuNPs in T1-weighted images was proportional to its Gd concentration, and there exists a significantly positive relationship between Gd and B concentrations (R² = 0.74, p < 0.005). The hyperintensity of either 250 ± 50 mm³ (larger) or 100 ± 50 mm³ (smaller) N87 xenograft was clearly visualized at 1 h after intravenous injection of PLGA-Gd/B-AuNPs. However, PLGA-Gd/B-AuNPs stayed at the periphery of the larger xenograft while located near the center of the smaller one. The tumor-to-muscle ratios of B content, determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in smaller- and larger-sized tumors were 4.17 ± 1.42 and 1.99 ± 0.55, respectively. In summary, we successfully developed theranostic B- and Gd-containing AuNPs for BNCT in this study.

Background: The present study used insurance claims data to investigate infections associated with short-term water outage because of constructions or pipe breaks. Methods: The present study used medical claims of one million insured persons for 2004-2006. We estimated incidences of gastroenteritis and eye and skin complaints for 10 days before, during, and after 10 days of water supply restriction for outpatient visits and for emergency and in-patient care combined. Results: There was an increase in medical services for these complaints in outpatient visits because of water outages. Poisson regression analyses showed that increased risks of medical services were significant for gastroenteritis (relative risk [RR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.37), skin disease (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.30-1.42), and eye disease patients (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.26-1.44). Similar risks were observed during 10-day lag periods. Compared with those in cool days, risks of medical services are higher when average daily temperature is above 30°C for gastroenteritis (RR 12.1, 95% CI 6.17-23.7), skin diseases (RR 4.48, 95% CI 2.29-8.78), and eye diseases (RR 40.3, 95% CI 7.23-224). Conclusion: We suggest promoting personal hygiene education during water supply shortages, particularly during the warm months.

This study investigated antimony exposure among employees in industries in Taiwan and evaluated whether their immunologic markers were associated with antimony exposure. We recruited 91 male workers and 42 male office administrators from 2 glass manufacturing plants, 1 antimony trioxide manufacturing plants, and 2 engineering plastic manufacturing plants. Air samples were collected at worksites and administrative offices, and each participant provided specimens of urine, blood, and hair to assay antimony levels. We also determined white blood cells, lymphocyte, and monocyte, IgA, IgE, and IgG in blood specimens. The mean antimony concentration in the air measured at worksites was much higher in the antimony trioxide plant (2.51 ± 0.57 mg/m³) than in plastic plants (0.21 ± 0.06 mg/m³) and glass plants (0.14 ± 0.01 mg/m³). Antimony levels in blood, urine, and hair measured for participants were correlated with worksites and were higher in workers than in administrators. The mean serum IgG, IgA, and IgE levels were lower in workers than in administrators (p < 0.001). Serum IgA and IgE levels in participants were negatively associated with antimony levels in air samples of workplaces, and in blood, urine, and hairs of participants. Serum IgG and IgE of all participants were also negatively associated with antimony levels in their hairs. In conclusion, the antimony exposure is greater for workers employed in the five industrial plants than for administrators. This study suggests serum IgG, IgA, and IgE levels are negatively associated with antimony exposure.