Validity Test For Simple Ergonomics Risk Assessment (Sera) Method

Validity test is important during the development of ergonomics measurement. Failure to conduct validity tests will result in the measurement method being developed to be incapable of providing reliable ergonomics measurements. The objective of this study is to conduct validity test on the simple method ergonomics measurement which was developed. The method named Simple Ergonomics Risks Assessment (SERA). Content validity test and criterion validity test were conducted. The content validity test consists of 6 ergonomics experts who actively provide inputs and positive feedbacks to improve the measurement method being developed. Meanwhile, the criterion validity test involves data collection of complaints on body parts among oil palm workers which were derived from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and ergonomics risk assessment scores obtained from SERA. Both findings were tested with the Chi-square test to explore possible relations between the two findings. Results from the test conducted showed that there are significant relations in the scores of neck posture; hip, right and left shoulder, right and left wrists and the right hand associated with fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting activities. In the loose fruits collection, the Chi-square test showed significant relations in the scores of neck posture, hip, right and left shoulders, right wrist, right arm and the left hand. However, there are body parts such as the legs which showed no significant relation. More tests should be conducted to further explore the validity of the method being developed. Findings from both validity tests show that SERA were verified by the experts and tested with validated method so that it is valid to be applied in the future.

Absent abdominal muscles, nephro-urologic abnormalities, and severe neurologic damage in an infant with 3 chromosomal duplications: a novel syndrome?

Absent abdominal muscles, cryptorchidism, and hydroureteronephrosis are known to occur in the prune belly syndrome [PBS]. We present a male with absent abdominal muscles, severe neurologic damage, with global developmental delay, hydroureteronephrosis, and cryptorchidism. The patient also had arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, low set ears, short neck, micrognathia, bilateral total ptosis, and bilateral clubfeet. Genetic testing [CGH array] revealed 3 novel duplications of unknown clinical significance at 7qll.23, 9q22.32 [PTCH 1 gene], and 12q21.32 [CEP 290 gene]. We feel that our patient represents a novel entity, henceforth not described in the literature

Kearns-Sayre syndrome: an unusual ophthalmic presentation

Kearns-Sayre syndrome [KSS] belongs to the group of neuromuscular disorders known as mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. It has characteristic syndromal features, which include: chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, bilateral atypical pigmentary retinopathy, and cardiac conduction abnormalities. So far, only a single case has been reported where a patient with KSS had a normal retina. Herein, we report this extremely rare variant of KSS, which not only presented later than the normal age of presentation, but also had minimal pigmentary retinopathy

[Comparative study on the essential oil content and composition of achillea eriophora DC. in field and wild conditions]

Achillea eriophora is an important species of Achillea that is native [Endemic] in Iran. It grows exclusively in the South provinces of Iran especially "Fars" province. It contains higher level of essential oil in comparison to other species. Study on the essential oil composition of Achillea eriophora DC. in wild conditions and comparison to field condition. Top flowering part of the Achillea eriophora wild population was collected from "Jahrom" ["Mohammad Abad" village in 10 [th] Km of the South-East of "Jahrom"] in the South of "Fars" province on June 2006. The essential oils of the samples were extracted by "Clevenger" apparatus and its constituents determined by GC and GC-MS. Also, the seeds of this plant also cultivated in September 2006 in Mashhad region. On July 2007, top flowering parts of the cultivated plants harvested at full flowering stage. After drying, essential oils content of the samples determined and its components detected as mentioned for wild samples. The essential oils content of the wild and cultivated samples were 2% and 2.25% v/w respectively. In wild samples thirty components were identified and the major components were: Camphor [30.4%], 1,8-Cineole [25.24%], Camphene [6.21%]? alpha-Pinene [4.49%] and Myrcene [3.91%]. Thirty-six components determined in the cultivated samples and the main components were: Camphor [28.98%], 1,8-Cineole [26.98%], Camphene [5.98%] and alpha -Pinene [4.23%]. In cultivated samples, essential oil content and constituents increased but the relative content of the main constituents decreased

[Identification of some microorganisms in Al-Arish sewage water treatment station]

The study aims to classify some microorganisms, which are reproduced in Al-Arish station for sewage water treatment. The result has revealed the presence of Coli form bacteria, Sulfur bacteria. Cyanobactria, Green algae and Protozoa. Those organisms play important role in degradation of organic compounds in wastewater

[ study on the biological phenomenon of greenness, light emission and odours in Aden beaches]

The study aims to disclose the causes of greenness, emission of light and harmful odours in Aden beaches. Water samples were collected during the period of January March 2006, and were examined by light microscope connected to CCD camera. Isolation and identification of microalgae were carried directly by light microscope, while isolation and identification of bacteria were carried by using several bacterial culture. The result has revealed the presence of green gelatinous colonies, the diameter of one colony is about 1 cm. The colonies contain microalgae called Phyaeocystis sp. and two bacteria species that belong to Vibrio genus: V. fischeri and V. harveyi. The source of Bioluminescence and the harmful odours are resulting from bacterial metabolic activity, while the greenness are from the algae

Effect of Ramadan fasting on clinical biochemical and immunological parameters in healthy fasting and type two diabetes mellitus patients

Ramadan fasting is one of the pillaris of islam. The fasting time is about 12-19 hours depending on the season in which Ramadan falls and the geographic position of the country. It is often a subject of discussion nether or not Ramadan fasting confer any harmful effect on the body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on some clinical, biochemical and Immunological aspects of the healthy and type two Diabetes mellitus patients. The study was performed on [30] healthy fasting and [30] patients with type two diabetes mellitus in the month of Ramadan [2005]. Blood samples were obtained on the second and fourth week's of Ramadan and were analyzed for fasting blood sugar, urea, uric acid, lipid profile, Immunoglobulins and complement component concentration, in addition, lymphocyte was separated to study the lymphocyte transformation assay in vitro compared with healthy non-fasting. There was slight elevation in the HDL-C, B. urea, S. Triglyceride, VLDL, S. uric acid and slight reduction in LDL-C at the end of fasting. There was slight reduction but the difference was non- significant [P>0.05] in the value of immunoglobulins [IgA, IgG, 1gM] and [C3, C4] also, there was no difference in the sensitization rate of lymphocyte transformation in both healthy and type two diabetic patients compared with healthy non-fasting control. Slight elevation of HDL-C and slight elevation of B. urea, S. uric acid, S. Triglyceride, VLDL and there is non significant changes in Immunoglobulins and complement concentration and sensitization rate of lymphocyte transformation. Thus, Ramadan is safe for type two diabetic patients with the proper education of diabetic management

Acute cholecystitis: immediate versus interval cholecystectomy

To compare the outcome of acute cholecystitis treated by early surgery with acute cholecystitis treated initially by conservative management and later on surgery after 6 weeks. Material and This prospective, comparative study was conducted in the surgical B unit PGMI, L.R.H Peshawar from June 1997 to-June1998. A total of 100 cases of acute cholecystitis were selected and divided into two groups. Half of the cases were selected for conservative treatment and half were treated with immediate surgery i.e. the next available list. of the two protocols were compared. Chi Square and student-t test was applied and level of significance was checked. Out of 100 cases, 50 were treated conservatively [Group B] and 50 were given the option of early surgery [Group A]. The results showed that patients of group "A" benefited more as regards early definitive treatment, less hospital stay and comparatively decreased cost of treatment. The patients of group [B] had to suffer two hospital admissions, frequent visits to hospital, double expenses and were on a constant risk of developing complications during their wait for surgery. There was no postoperative mortality and complications were few. It is concluded that patients received with acute cholecystitis at any time during the first 02 weeks should be treated by surgery as soon as possible

Complete androgen blockade in advanced prostate cancer: a clinical experience

To evaluate the clinical and biochemical outcome of patients with advanced prostate cancer treated by complete androgen blockage [CAB]. A total number of thirty patients with histologically confirmed advance prostate cancer and serum PSA level of more than 30ng/ml were subjected to bilateral subcapsular orchidectomy, supplemented with oral antiandrogens. These patients were followed for a period of two years by recording their symptoms and serum PSA level at twelve weeks intervals. Only 16[53.33%] patients complied with the protocol of the study and observed two years followup. 12[75%] patients showed complete response to CAB while 4[25%] patients showed rising PSA levels and became symptomatic after one year of treatment. CAB is still the treatment of choice for patients with advanced prostate cancer

Management of pilonidal sinus

A prospective study was conducted in 'Surgical A' Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from December 2000 to May 2001 to evaluate the results of different methods of treatment of pilonidal sinus. Twenty patients who were fit for general anaesthesia were selected for operative treatment and were included in the study. Acute infection was treated first. Twelve patients were treated by Karydaki's procedure and eight were treated by open method. The mean hospital stay was 4-5 days in Karydaki's but multiple admissions were required for open procedure patients. There was two recurrence in the open procedure. The technique of asymmetric cleft closure is the best method of treatment for the management of pilonidal sinus

Pregnancy outcome in women with sickle cell trait

The aim of the study is to assess the pregnancy outcome among Omani women with sickle cell trait [SCT], and to compare it with a control group of Omani women with normal hemoglobin. Relevant data of both groups was obtained from labor room records, patient files and computerized records at the Nizwa Hospital, Dakhliya Region, Nizwa, Oman from January 1999 to July 2000. Available data was analyzed. Three thousand, five hundred and one pregnant Omani women were included in this study, 319 had SCT [9.1%], the average age was 27 years in both groups, and 51% were primigravida. There was an increase in the incidence of anemia in the SCT women. The incidence of abortion and neonatal death in previous pregnancies was significantly increased among SCT women. Pregnant women with SCT need special care and attention during pregnancy, labor, puerperium and surgery. They should be identified early to prevent complications such as anemia, infection and fetal wastage

Chemical analysis of urinary calculi operated in Liaquat medical college hospital Jamshoro

Of the 60 patients with urinary calculi, upper tract stones were common between 15-44 years of age and lower tract stones between 0-14 and above 44 years of age. Urinary calculi contained calcium, phosphate, oxalate, urateuric acid, ammonium, magnesium and carbonate. The frequency of occurrence of each of these radicals in sixty stones was 93.33, 83.33, 61.67, 51.67, 25.00 and 13.33 respectively. Five [27.8%] out of eighteen different combinations of acidic and basic radicals seen in the stones analyses were of pure lithiasis