Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among iranian steel workers

Musculoskeletal disorders in developing countries are considered as main cause of occupational disorders and disability and highly associated with socioeconomic burden to individual, organization and society in general view. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among Iranian steel workers. In a cross-sectional study, 1439 questionnaires were provided from 1984 randomly selected workers of four Iranian steel industries. Data of musculoskeletal disorders was gathered by means of standardized Nordic self-reporting questionnaire. Demographic and work related data were collected into the check list. Out of 1984 individuals, 1439 questionnaires returned and mean age of study workers was 37.23 +/- 8.74 years old. Among workers, 46.3% in the past week and 61% in the last year claimed one of musculoskeletal disorders in their bodies. Lumbar, knee[s] and neck areas had the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders had significant association with the job time of work and BMI. Musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian steel industries happened in high rate. Ergonomic interventions strategies into the workplaces must be focused to eliminate environmental hazards such as apposition on the time of work and manual handling of heavy loads

Study of the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin levels [Jh20-1 bilirubinometer] and serum bilirubin levels [laboratory]

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common benign problem in neonates. Nonetheless, if untreated, severe hyperbilirubinemia is potentially neurotoxic. The standard method for diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia is determination of serum bilirubin levels in the laboratory that requires a blood sample which is both painful and stressful for neonates and entails cost and time. The objective of this study was to study the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin levels [JH 20-1 bilirobinometer] and serum bilirubin levels. This prospective study was done on 100 jaundiced newborn term infants from March to October, 2006. Initial clinical assessment of jaundice was carried out by a physician [researcher] and simultaneously, blood sample was collected and a JH20-1 bilirubinometer was applied at two sites; forehead and sternum. The study group consisted of 57 boys and 43 girls diagnosed as jaundiced neonates. The mean serum bilirubin and mean transcutaneous bilirubin levels at forehead and sternum were 13.35, 12.95 and 12.46 mg/dl, respectively. The correlation coefficient of bilirubin levels estimated by the bilirubinometer at the forehead and sternum and serum levels were 0.773 and 0.731, respectively. At bilirubin levels higher than 12 mg/dl [cut off point], the bilirubinometer had a decreased sensitivity, but an increased specificity. Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements using JH20-1 bilirubinimeter correlate well with total serum bilirubin levels, but when bilirubin levels are higher than 12mg/dl, sensitivity of the device is reduced and therefore not reliable

[ case of resistant megaloblastic anemia responding to thiamine]

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia [TRMA], also known as Roger syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from the deficiency of thiamine [Vitamin B1] transporter protein. This is the report of a 3-year follow up of a female child who presented in 2000 at the age of 11 with severe anemia, congenital deafness and diabetes mellitus. In our follow-up period we prescribed 100-mg thiamine tablet daily and after that there was a rise in her hemoglobin level to normal. Her hyperglycemia was controlled during the early phase of treatment. It recurred several months after start of treatment, but needed lower doses of insulin for control. Hearing loss did not respond to thiamine. Presently, the patient is apparently in good condition with normal hemoglobin level