Abstract Introduction Low-frequency noise (LFN) is hazardous to hearing. Long-term exposure to LFN may lead to vibroacoustic disease (VAD), which not only affects a specific organ but the physiological function of entire systems, such as the auditory, phonatory, respiratory, and cardiac systems. Moreover, VAD may lead to many psychological problems and hence affect the quality of life. Objective To investigate the adverse effects of LFN on hearing, acoustic and perceptual correlates of the voice, blood pressure, cardiac rate, and anxiety level. Method A total of 20 subjects exposed to LFN and 20 not exposed to LFN were included, and a detailed case history was recorded. The patients were submitted to pure tone audiometry, otoscopic examination, acoustic and perceptual analyses of the voice, maximum phonation time, and an assessment of the s/z ratio. We also assessed blood pressure, and the results of a voice-related quality of life questionnaire and of the Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Results The results indicate that LFN had an adverse impact on the high-frequency threshold. The present study found a significant difference in shimmer and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) values. Few subjects had high blood pressure and showed the sign of anxiety on the Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Conclusion Low-frequency noise has adverse effects on entire systems of the body and causes many psychological issues, which, in turn negatively affect quality of life.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar a relação entre os polimorfismos PON1 e perda recorrente de gravidez PRG. Métodos Em um estudo transversal, foramcoletadas amostras de sangue de 100 mulheres. O DNA foi extraído e os genótipos PON1 foram determinados por amplificação por PCR. Resultados Com relação ao PON1 L55M, a frequência do alelo mutado (M) foi encontrada em 70,5% no PRG e em 53,5% nos controles; o alelo M foi significativamente associado a um risco aumentado de PRG (odds radio ajustado [ORadj] =2,07; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%; p<0,001). No entanto, em relação ao PON1 Q192R, a frequência do alelo mutado R foi encontrada em 28,5% no PRG e em 33% nos controles. O alelo R não mostrou qualquer risco para PRG (ORadj 0,81; IC 95; p=0,329). Conclusão O presente estudo sugere que há um efeito do polimorfismo genético sobre PRG e fornece evidências adicionais que se combinam com as informações crescentes sobre asmaneiras pelas quais certos genótipos PON1 podemafetar o desenvolvimento do feto no útero.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between the PON1 polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Methods In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 100 females. DNA was extracted and PON1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Results Regarding PON1 L55M, the mutated allele (M) frequency was found in 70.5% in RPL and in 53.5% in controls; theMallele was significantly associated with an increased risk of RPL (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]=2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]; p<0.001). However, regarding PON1 Q192R, the R mutated allele frequency was found in 28.5% in RPL and in 33% in controls. The R allele did not show any risk for RPL (ORadj 0.81; 95%CI; p=0.329). Conclusion The present study suggests that there is an effect of genetic polymorphism on RPL and provides additional evidence that combines with the growing information about the ways in which certain PON1 genotypes can affect the development of the fetus in the uterus.