Janvier Gasana | Florida International University (original) (raw)
Papers by Janvier Gasana
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 1997
Environmental Research, 2002
Background The incidence of asthma among bakers has become one of the most common occupation-rela... more Background The incidence of asthma among bakers has become one of the most common occupation-related developments of respiratory symptoms; it is known as Baker's asthma. Baker's asthma is thought to be the result of prolonged exposure to allergens and flour dust found in bakeries. The exposure to the flour dust, other enzymes found at their workplace and other allergens has been the focus of studies to understand how bakers develop respiratory symptoms. Methods Research of articles pertaining to baker's asthma and incidence of asthma in millers and bakers in online medical search engines, such as PubMed, Medline, and Highwire yielded various studies on the subjects. While the recent articles, written in the last 5 years, illustrated the progress achieved in the study of baker's asthma to date, the older articles, going back from 1984, gave important insight into the various studies done over time to better understand baker's asthma. Results Studies have shown tha...
Background The occupations most commonly implicated include carpet making, paint sprayers, bakers... more Background The occupations most commonly implicated include carpet making, paint sprayers, bakers and pastry makers, nurses, chemical workers, animal handlers, welders, food processing workers and timber workers. Carpet makers are categorized under the high risk occupation as they use guar gum which is considered as an asthma-producing substance. Objective 1) To know the type of compounds found in carpet and its relation in causing asthma with the help of Meta analysis studies, and 2) to compare the carpet makers with the other occupations Method Survey studies (1990- 2010) conducted at carpet manufacturing plants, were retrieved by searching computerized databases from Medline, Pubmed, and Highwire. Carpet-manufacturing plants use guar gum to adhere the dye to the fiber. Survey included a questionnaire and skin prick tests with common allergens and guar gum (1 mg/ml). IgE and IgG antibodies to guar gum were also measured in blood. Result The risk of developing asthma is determined ...
Hydrological Sciences Journal, 2015
Background: - Discrimination in the health care setting has always been an attention seeking prob... more Background: - Discrimination in the health care setting has always been an attention seeking problem. Various efforts have been put forward to understand the origin and its outcome, yet many gaps need to be addressed in the future research articles. Discrimination refers to differences in care that results from biases, prejudices, stereotyping and uncertainty in clinical communication and decision making. Methods: - Retrieved articles on discrimination, scales of measurement used and poor health outcome (1966-2008) using MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PUBMED. Results: - A proposed survey containing 6 items related to health care which includes question regarding general and personal views on perceived racial discrimination would be more effective in measuring racial discrimination in health care settings. Also it is found that perceived racial discrimination leads to poor health outcome. Conclusion: - A more extended version of the existing measuring scale is needed which also includes wide ...
Background: The field of epigenetics has been providing some conclusive and consistent evidences ... more Background: The field of epigenetics has been providing some conclusive and consistent evidences in explaining causal relationship between environmental triggers, epigenetic changes and asthma. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without directly altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms have the potential explain many mysterious in the pathogenesis of asthma like: 1) Susceptibility to pre-natal exposures, 2) Variable natural history of asthma, and 3) Reversible phenotypes. Some of the most common epigenetic mechanisms that are found to influence asthmatic phenotypes are: 1) DNA methylation, 2) Post-translational modification of histone proteins, and 3) non-coding RNAs. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, with key words “Epigenetics”, “Asthma”, “Allergy”, and “Children” using PubMed, Medline, Highwire, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The search resulted in 7 potential and full text articles including 6 epidemiological s...
Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets, 2000
ABSTRACT Background Occupational asthma (OA) has become one of the most common forms of occupatio... more ABSTRACT Background Occupational asthma (OA) has become one of the most common forms of occupational lung disease in many industrialized countries. Occupational factors play a major role in respiratory diseases and symptoms. Exposure to cotton dust, wood dust may cause asthma and allergy like symptoms in forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. Cotton dust is the main contributor of respiratory symptoms. Wood dust' refers to the inhalable fraction of dust originating from solid wood including bark. Objective To show that there is increased of asthma and sinonasal problems with prolonged exposure of wood dust among forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. Method Recent articles published in PubMed, Highwire and Medline have been retrieved and intensively reviewed. Result Highest Exposure was found during manual sanding and the lowest exposures during handling, packing and assembling, i.e.. when no wood working performed. Obeche may cause a health hazard to carpenters who are exposed to this dust and who may develop asthma and allergic symptoms after the exposure. Three industries commonly affected are furniture industry, builder's carpentry industry and sawmilling. Conclusion Due to the fact that construction woodworkers often work in poorly ventilated spaces, they are at a higher risk of developing asthma hence further study is required to prevent the risk of developing asthma in forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. The exposure can also be reduced by using alternative materials, preparing the building material in workshops equipped with exposure controls, improved ventilation and good housekeeping.
ABSTRACT Background Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) is a low molecular weight organic acid ext... more ABSTRACT Background Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) is a low molecular weight organic acid extensively utilized in the manufacture of alkyd and epoxiresins; industrial applications include plastic reinforcement, adhesion, molding, and surface coating. HHPA exposure has, thus, been associated with haptenized autologous proteins and an array of immunologic respiratory conditions including asthma, rhinitis, epistaxis and nasal erosions. Method Team searched Pubmed and Medline with the terms plastics, epoxy resins, anhydrides, immunological conditions,asthma, low social status, low socioeconomic status, and workers from 1960 to 2009 Results HHPA showed specific IgE antibody formation in exposed workers. Additional findings pointed out IgE-mediated respiratory sensitization due to HPPA exposure with clinical presentations of rhinitis, nasal mucosal erosions, epistaxis and serologic studies supportive of an immunologic mechanism. Bronchial reaction may be immediate, non-immediate, or both. Discussion It is vital to identify early exposure cases in order to improve chances of recovery and reduce risk of long-term adverse effects. A careful history, with particular attention to chemical processes at work, will usually alert the physician to the possibility of occupational asthma. Social and economic policies have a direct impact on the health and well-being of those who live and work under those policies. Conclusion A careful history, with particular attention to chemical processes at work, will usually alert the physician to the possibility of occupational asthma. Interventions and policies must address daily living conditions and issues related to low socioeconomic status, gender, racial disparities, availability of resources and access.
ABSTRACT Background Occupational exposures are important contributors to asthma in health care pr... more ABSTRACT Background Occupational exposures are important contributors to asthma in health care providers. U.S. data suggest an increased risk of work-related asthma among health care workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates 8-12 % of health care workers are sensitized to latex. Methods Articles from 1999-2009 related to air pollution near highways were retrieved from Highwire and Pubmed search engines. Primary intervention studies on natural rubber latex published since 1990- 2009 were identified and reviewed. Confidence interval related to natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy, NRL allergy %, NRL induced occupational asthma %, and the subjects (n) were obtained. Using meta analysis, results were stratified. Results This review found an approximate two-fold increase in the likelihood of developing asthma after beginning a health care profession for tasks involving instrument cleaning and disinfection, general cleaning, use of powdered latex gloves, and the administration of aerosolized medications. These positions are often staffed by minority workers and those of low socioeconomic status. Continued exposure to latex antigens can result in progressive morbidity and possible mortality from anaphylactic reactions Conclusion There is an immediate need to develop synthetic rubber gloves with satisfactory mechanical properties at a lower expense and evaluate its effectiveness prior to its implementation. Respiratory Therapists have more than twice the risk of having wheeze and asthma attacks. The study concluded that improvements were necessary in all aspects of work components with chemical disinfectants such as glutaraldehyde and use of latex as health workers may be at an increased risk for asthma-like symptoms.
ABSTRACT Background Hairdressers and salon professionals are often exposed to chemicals through i... more ABSTRACT Background Hairdressers and salon professionals are often exposed to chemicals through inhalation and skin contact. Hairdressers have an increased risk of occupational asthma due to the chemicals that they are constantly exposed to such as persulfates and peroxides. Persulfate salts have been determined to be the major asthma causing agents. Cases of hairdressers suffering from occupational asthma induced by persulfate salts were first studied in the 1970's, however to date the exact incidence and proportion of the population afflicted is unknown. Objectives 1) To describe how high the risk is for occupational asthma from persulfate salts in the chemicals hairdressers use, and 2) To explore methods of gaining more information about the incidence and prevalence of occupational asthma among hairdressers. Methods This meta-analysis searched Pubmed, Medline, and Highwire with the terms persulfate salts, asthma and hairdressers. Results Hairdressers are at an increased risk of occupational asthma and in one study one out of two hairdressers was diagnosed with asthma stemming from exposure to persulfate salts. Study results show that the persulfate salts seem to require a long exposure time before asthma related symptoms become apparent. Conclusion Many salon chemicals may contribute to occupational asthma, but the types well-documented are persulfate salts. Repeated long exposure is required before asthma related symptoms develop. The physiologic pathway between exposure and the development of asthma has yet to be determined. Further information about the symptoms and the pathway of persulfate-related asthma need to be determined.
Background In school children, asthma and other respiratory diseases pose a grave risk to their h... more Background In school children, asthma and other respiratory diseases pose a grave risk to their health and quality of life. According to CDC reports in 2001-2003 out of an estimated 11.7 million persons who reported an asthma attack in preceding 12months; 4 million were children. Children, particularly in urban setting with low socioeconomic status, are more likely to expose to harmful substances than children in rural setting. Objective To analyze the factors contributing to asthma and other respiratory problems in school children and also to find out factors responsible for existing disparity. Method For this analysis, a systematic review of published journal articles (from 1970 to 2009) related to environmental health factors for asthma in schools in the United States was conducted using Medline, Pubmed and High Wire search engines. Key words: included children, asthma studies, schools, environmental health. Results Indoor environment of the school building often harbor a trigger...
Background Occupational or work-related asthma has been found to be common. Animal handlers rangi... more Background Occupational or work-related asthma has been found to be common. Animal handlers ranging from laboratory researchers, veterinarians, to food processing workers are exposed to animal protein allergens which cause asthma with symptoms of cough, wheezing and chest tightness. These allergens, from animal body or body fluids, can be carried on in the air for prolonged periods. Method This review used articles from PubMed searched with the terms animal proteins and occupational asthma with limit as work published in the last 10 years (1970-2009). Result Several studies put the incidence rate of occupational asthma amongst laboratory researchers to about 10 21%. In a 12-year cohort study of workers exposed to laboratory animals, incidence of asthma was higher for workers with long hours of exposure to tasks requiring working with animal cages or many animals. Most allergens are lipocalins, a group of glycoproteins. A worker with previous occupational allergy to lipocalins of pig...
Introduction Ever since Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) was introduced to protect children and the... more Introduction Ever since Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) was introduced to protect children and their families from housing-related health and safety hazards, communities benefited from it. HHI takes a holistic approach to these activities by focusing on housing-related hazards (such as mold, lead, allergens, carbon monoxide, home safety, pesticides, and radon) in a coordinated fashion. Objectives Based on our knowledge of lead exposure in children and community-based interventions to reduce environmental triggers for asthma among children, strategies to combat childhood lead poisoning should be integrated with childhood asthma and injury interventions. South Florida, with its multiethnic groups in a warm climate is implementing the concept of Healthy Homes. South Florida Asthma Consortium has started a home investigation with the concept in mind in 4 counties along with 2 CDC-funded pilot studies. Results Lead dust, triggers of asthma, and injury hazards are some of the residential h...
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 1997
Environmental Research, 2002
Background The incidence of asthma among bakers has become one of the most common occupation-rela... more Background The incidence of asthma among bakers has become one of the most common occupation-related developments of respiratory symptoms; it is known as Baker's asthma. Baker's asthma is thought to be the result of prolonged exposure to allergens and flour dust found in bakeries. The exposure to the flour dust, other enzymes found at their workplace and other allergens has been the focus of studies to understand how bakers develop respiratory symptoms. Methods Research of articles pertaining to baker's asthma and incidence of asthma in millers and bakers in online medical search engines, such as PubMed, Medline, and Highwire yielded various studies on the subjects. While the recent articles, written in the last 5 years, illustrated the progress achieved in the study of baker's asthma to date, the older articles, going back from 1984, gave important insight into the various studies done over time to better understand baker's asthma. Results Studies have shown tha...
Background The occupations most commonly implicated include carpet making, paint sprayers, bakers... more Background The occupations most commonly implicated include carpet making, paint sprayers, bakers and pastry makers, nurses, chemical workers, animal handlers, welders, food processing workers and timber workers. Carpet makers are categorized under the high risk occupation as they use guar gum which is considered as an asthma-producing substance. Objective 1) To know the type of compounds found in carpet and its relation in causing asthma with the help of Meta analysis studies, and 2) to compare the carpet makers with the other occupations Method Survey studies (1990- 2010) conducted at carpet manufacturing plants, were retrieved by searching computerized databases from Medline, Pubmed, and Highwire. Carpet-manufacturing plants use guar gum to adhere the dye to the fiber. Survey included a questionnaire and skin prick tests with common allergens and guar gum (1 mg/ml). IgE and IgG antibodies to guar gum were also measured in blood. Result The risk of developing asthma is determined ...
Hydrological Sciences Journal, 2015
Background: - Discrimination in the health care setting has always been an attention seeking prob... more Background: - Discrimination in the health care setting has always been an attention seeking problem. Various efforts have been put forward to understand the origin and its outcome, yet many gaps need to be addressed in the future research articles. Discrimination refers to differences in care that results from biases, prejudices, stereotyping and uncertainty in clinical communication and decision making. Methods: - Retrieved articles on discrimination, scales of measurement used and poor health outcome (1966-2008) using MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PUBMED. Results: - A proposed survey containing 6 items related to health care which includes question regarding general and personal views on perceived racial discrimination would be more effective in measuring racial discrimination in health care settings. Also it is found that perceived racial discrimination leads to poor health outcome. Conclusion: - A more extended version of the existing measuring scale is needed which also includes wide ...
Background: The field of epigenetics has been providing some conclusive and consistent evidences ... more Background: The field of epigenetics has been providing some conclusive and consistent evidences in explaining causal relationship between environmental triggers, epigenetic changes and asthma. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without directly altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms have the potential explain many mysterious in the pathogenesis of asthma like: 1) Susceptibility to pre-natal exposures, 2) Variable natural history of asthma, and 3) Reversible phenotypes. Some of the most common epigenetic mechanisms that are found to influence asthmatic phenotypes are: 1) DNA methylation, 2) Post-translational modification of histone proteins, and 3) non-coding RNAs. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, with key words “Epigenetics”, “Asthma”, “Allergy”, and “Children” using PubMed, Medline, Highwire, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The search resulted in 7 potential and full text articles including 6 epidemiological s...
Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets, 2000
ABSTRACT Background Occupational asthma (OA) has become one of the most common forms of occupatio... more ABSTRACT Background Occupational asthma (OA) has become one of the most common forms of occupational lung disease in many industrialized countries. Occupational factors play a major role in respiratory diseases and symptoms. Exposure to cotton dust, wood dust may cause asthma and allergy like symptoms in forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. Cotton dust is the main contributor of respiratory symptoms. Wood dust' refers to the inhalable fraction of dust originating from solid wood including bark. Objective To show that there is increased of asthma and sinonasal problems with prolonged exposure of wood dust among forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. Method Recent articles published in PubMed, Highwire and Medline have been retrieved and intensively reviewed. Result Highest Exposure was found during manual sanding and the lowest exposures during handling, packing and assembling, i.e.. when no wood working performed. Obeche may cause a health hazard to carpenters who are exposed to this dust and who may develop asthma and allergic symptoms after the exposure. Three industries commonly affected are furniture industry, builder's carpentry industry and sawmilling. Conclusion Due to the fact that construction woodworkers often work in poorly ventilated spaces, they are at a higher risk of developing asthma hence further study is required to prevent the risk of developing asthma in forest workers, carpenters and cabinet makers. The exposure can also be reduced by using alternative materials, preparing the building material in workshops equipped with exposure controls, improved ventilation and good housekeeping.
ABSTRACT Background Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) is a low molecular weight organic acid ext... more ABSTRACT Background Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) is a low molecular weight organic acid extensively utilized in the manufacture of alkyd and epoxiresins; industrial applications include plastic reinforcement, adhesion, molding, and surface coating. HHPA exposure has, thus, been associated with haptenized autologous proteins and an array of immunologic respiratory conditions including asthma, rhinitis, epistaxis and nasal erosions. Method Team searched Pubmed and Medline with the terms plastics, epoxy resins, anhydrides, immunological conditions,asthma, low social status, low socioeconomic status, and workers from 1960 to 2009 Results HHPA showed specific IgE antibody formation in exposed workers. Additional findings pointed out IgE-mediated respiratory sensitization due to HPPA exposure with clinical presentations of rhinitis, nasal mucosal erosions, epistaxis and serologic studies supportive of an immunologic mechanism. Bronchial reaction may be immediate, non-immediate, or both. Discussion It is vital to identify early exposure cases in order to improve chances of recovery and reduce risk of long-term adverse effects. A careful history, with particular attention to chemical processes at work, will usually alert the physician to the possibility of occupational asthma. Social and economic policies have a direct impact on the health and well-being of those who live and work under those policies. Conclusion A careful history, with particular attention to chemical processes at work, will usually alert the physician to the possibility of occupational asthma. Interventions and policies must address daily living conditions and issues related to low socioeconomic status, gender, racial disparities, availability of resources and access.
ABSTRACT Background Occupational exposures are important contributors to asthma in health care pr... more ABSTRACT Background Occupational exposures are important contributors to asthma in health care providers. U.S. data suggest an increased risk of work-related asthma among health care workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates 8-12 % of health care workers are sensitized to latex. Methods Articles from 1999-2009 related to air pollution near highways were retrieved from Highwire and Pubmed search engines. Primary intervention studies on natural rubber latex published since 1990- 2009 were identified and reviewed. Confidence interval related to natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy, NRL allergy %, NRL induced occupational asthma %, and the subjects (n) were obtained. Using meta analysis, results were stratified. Results This review found an approximate two-fold increase in the likelihood of developing asthma after beginning a health care profession for tasks involving instrument cleaning and disinfection, general cleaning, use of powdered latex gloves, and the administration of aerosolized medications. These positions are often staffed by minority workers and those of low socioeconomic status. Continued exposure to latex antigens can result in progressive morbidity and possible mortality from anaphylactic reactions Conclusion There is an immediate need to develop synthetic rubber gloves with satisfactory mechanical properties at a lower expense and evaluate its effectiveness prior to its implementation. Respiratory Therapists have more than twice the risk of having wheeze and asthma attacks. The study concluded that improvements were necessary in all aspects of work components with chemical disinfectants such as glutaraldehyde and use of latex as health workers may be at an increased risk for asthma-like symptoms.
ABSTRACT Background Hairdressers and salon professionals are often exposed to chemicals through i... more ABSTRACT Background Hairdressers and salon professionals are often exposed to chemicals through inhalation and skin contact. Hairdressers have an increased risk of occupational asthma due to the chemicals that they are constantly exposed to such as persulfates and peroxides. Persulfate salts have been determined to be the major asthma causing agents. Cases of hairdressers suffering from occupational asthma induced by persulfate salts were first studied in the 1970's, however to date the exact incidence and proportion of the population afflicted is unknown. Objectives 1) To describe how high the risk is for occupational asthma from persulfate salts in the chemicals hairdressers use, and 2) To explore methods of gaining more information about the incidence and prevalence of occupational asthma among hairdressers. Methods This meta-analysis searched Pubmed, Medline, and Highwire with the terms persulfate salts, asthma and hairdressers. Results Hairdressers are at an increased risk of occupational asthma and in one study one out of two hairdressers was diagnosed with asthma stemming from exposure to persulfate salts. Study results show that the persulfate salts seem to require a long exposure time before asthma related symptoms become apparent. Conclusion Many salon chemicals may contribute to occupational asthma, but the types well-documented are persulfate salts. Repeated long exposure is required before asthma related symptoms develop. The physiologic pathway between exposure and the development of asthma has yet to be determined. Further information about the symptoms and the pathway of persulfate-related asthma need to be determined.
Background In school children, asthma and other respiratory diseases pose a grave risk to their h... more Background In school children, asthma and other respiratory diseases pose a grave risk to their health and quality of life. According to CDC reports in 2001-2003 out of an estimated 11.7 million persons who reported an asthma attack in preceding 12months; 4 million were children. Children, particularly in urban setting with low socioeconomic status, are more likely to expose to harmful substances than children in rural setting. Objective To analyze the factors contributing to asthma and other respiratory problems in school children and also to find out factors responsible for existing disparity. Method For this analysis, a systematic review of published journal articles (from 1970 to 2009) related to environmental health factors for asthma in schools in the United States was conducted using Medline, Pubmed and High Wire search engines. Key words: included children, asthma studies, schools, environmental health. Results Indoor environment of the school building often harbor a trigger...
Background Occupational or work-related asthma has been found to be common. Animal handlers rangi... more Background Occupational or work-related asthma has been found to be common. Animal handlers ranging from laboratory researchers, veterinarians, to food processing workers are exposed to animal protein allergens which cause asthma with symptoms of cough, wheezing and chest tightness. These allergens, from animal body or body fluids, can be carried on in the air for prolonged periods. Method This review used articles from PubMed searched with the terms animal proteins and occupational asthma with limit as work published in the last 10 years (1970-2009). Result Several studies put the incidence rate of occupational asthma amongst laboratory researchers to about 10 21%. In a 12-year cohort study of workers exposed to laboratory animals, incidence of asthma was higher for workers with long hours of exposure to tasks requiring working with animal cages or many animals. Most allergens are lipocalins, a group of glycoproteins. A worker with previous occupational allergy to lipocalins of pig...
Introduction Ever since Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) was introduced to protect children and the... more Introduction Ever since Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) was introduced to protect children and their families from housing-related health and safety hazards, communities benefited from it. HHI takes a holistic approach to these activities by focusing on housing-related hazards (such as mold, lead, allergens, carbon monoxide, home safety, pesticides, and radon) in a coordinated fashion. Objectives Based on our knowledge of lead exposure in children and community-based interventions to reduce environmental triggers for asthma among children, strategies to combat childhood lead poisoning should be integrated with childhood asthma and injury interventions. South Florida, with its multiethnic groups in a warm climate is implementing the concept of Healthy Homes. South Florida Asthma Consortium has started a home investigation with the concept in mind in 4 counties along with 2 CDC-funded pilot studies. Results Lead dust, triggers of asthma, and injury hazards are some of the residential h...