Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic disturbances that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The early identification of high-risk individuals is the key for halting these conditions. The world is facing a growing epidemic MetS although the magnitude in Egypt is unknown. Objectives: To describe MetS and its determinants among apparently healthy individuals residing in urban and rural communities in Egypt and to establish a model for MetS prediction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 270 adults from rural and urban districts in Alexandria, Egypt. Participants were clinically evaluated and interviewed for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and dietary habits. MetS was defined according to the harmonized criteria set by the AHA/NHLBI. The risk of ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), DM and fatty liver were assessed using validated risk prediction charts. A multiple risk model for predicting MetS was developed, and its performance was compared. Results: In total, 57.8% of the study population met the criteria for MetS and were at high risk for developing IHD, DM, and fatty liver. Silent CVD risk factors were identified in 20.4% of the participants. In our proposed multivariate logistic regression model, the predictors of MetS were obesity [OR (95% CI) = 16.3 (6.03-44.0)], morbid obesity [OR (95% CI) = 21.7 (5.3-88.0)], not working [OR (95% CI) = 2.05 (1.1-3.8)], and having a family history of chronic diseases [OR (95% CI) = 4.38 (2.23-8.61)]. Consumption of caffeine once per week protected against MetS by 27.8-fold. The derived prediction rule was accurate in predicting MetS, fatty liver, high risk of DM, and, to a lesser extent, a 10-year lifetime risk of IHD. Conclusion: Central obesity and sedentary lifestyles are accountable for the rising rates of MetS in our society. Interventions are needed to minimize the potential predisposition of the Egyptian population to cardiometabolic diseases.

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the front line in battling infection transmission, such as that in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Additionally, they may act as potential carriers passing the virus on to others. Anti-spike (anti-S) antibodies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are formed either as a result of infection or vaccination with both indicating immunity against future COVID-19 infection. Aim This study aimed to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 seropositivity among HCWs. Methods This cross-sectional study included 559 HCWs from 39 hospitals with variable degrees of COVID-19 exposure risk (depending on the occupation, department, and hospital type). Demographic data were recorded as well as history of COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Serum samples were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies. Results Anti-S positivity was found in 59.0% of the participating 559 HCWs, indicating a high level of seroprotection. Of the 559 HCWs, 34.1% had reported previous infection with COVID-19. Following infection, only 46 (24.0%) of those affected received vaccination. Anti-S seropositivity was found in 39.1% of participants who were unvaccinated and had no history of infection. Physicians had the highest median anti-S titers (58.0 relative units (RU)/mL), whereas pharmacists and office staff had the lowest (25.7 and 38.2 RU/mL, respectively). Conclusions Overall, 59.0% of the 559 HCWs were anti-S positive, indicating a relatively high seroprotective status. Among those who were unvaccinated and had no history of infection, 39.1% were seropositive for anti-S, denoting a high rate of silent/asymptomatic infections. Screening of HCWs for SARS-CoV-2 anti-S is recommended, along with the vaccination of seronegative individuals.

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Workers reach into the oven, pull out the cured mold, and then file the mold to remove any residual molding compound. Finally, they stack the mold and then repeat the process. It takes approximately 30 seconds to remove, file, and stack each mold. The worker continually repeats the process over the work shift. Environmental conditions:A fine yellow-orange powder is created from filing of the molds. The worker wears mid-forearm heat resistant gloves.

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate local and systemic responses to cold provocation testing as a simple vascular test for workers chronically exposed to cold. Materials and Methods: The study included 22 male workers from cold storage facilities and a matched non-exposed control group of 20 subjects. All participants were non-hypertensives and free from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They were subjected to a questionnaire, resting blood pressure measurement, cold provocation testing and Doppler radial systolic blood pressure measurement before and after cold provocation. Results: Hypertensive response was observed more significantly among cold exposed workers than controls (p= 0.003). Blanching response to cold was not significantly different between exposed and control groups. Coupled response was significantly higher among cold exposed workers than controls (p= 0,006) and it was independently determined by duration of exposure (p= 0.001). Conclusion: It seems that coupled response to cold provocation testing is a simple outcome measure for screening chronically exposed workers to cold.

The relationship between occupational noise exposure and hypertension as well as other coronary risk factors is recently highlighted. The objective of this study was to investigate if exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise testing can be used as a predictive tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in relation to occupational noise exposure. Subjects and Methods: Normotensive male workers free from diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in one of the industrial facilities in Alexandria were included in the study. Personal noise exposure levels were measured for workers exposed to noise in compressors and maintenance workshops as mean time weighted average (TWA). Three groups were considered each one comprised 50 workers representing high noise exposed group (compressor operators with TWA 90±4 dBA), low noise exposed group (maintenance workers with TWA 79±6 dBA) and non exposed group from administrative staff. After ethical consideration and obtaining a written consent, all participants were subjected to a questionnaire about personal and occupational data including perceived noise annoyance. Conventional coronary risk factors were measured. A standard symptom limited ergometer exercise test with Bruce protocol was performed and peak exercise hemodynamic variables were defined. Exaggerated blood pressure response at exercise was defined as peak SBP > 200 mmHg and/or peak DBP > 95 mmHg. Results: The three groups were similar in socio-demographic data. Exaggerated BP response at exercise was significantly more prevalent among high noise exposed

Occupational exposure to silica dust especially its crystalline form is primarily related to silicosis. Other possible silica related diseases such as renal disorders are still underestimated. The objective of the present work was to study the posibility of renal affection; as well as, alterations of some oxidative stress and autoimmune biomarkers among workers exposed to silica dust with and without silicosis. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in one of the factories for refractories in Alexandria, Egypt. The sample was divided into 3 groups; exposed silicotic, exposed non-silicotic and non-exposed group. Each group consisted of 27 workers. According to a parallel environmental survey, exposure levels to respirable free silica in the three departments of the plant namely; milling, mixing and production were identified. All participants were subjected to a predesigned questionnaire, clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, a standard chest radiological examination and laboratory investigations namely urinary albumin, antioxidants activity (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase and serum anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Results: The study shows that about 52% of the exposed workers with silicosis, 40.7% of exposed workers with no silicosis, and 7.4% of non-exposed workers had microalbuminurea. There was no statistically significant difference in urinary albumin levels between exposed silicotic and exposed non-silicotic workers. There was a statistically significant difference between the 3 groups regarding their antioxidants levels. Qualitative ANCA testing results were negative for all workers. Multiple

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